Poland’s Foreign Minister recognizes restricted impact on Iran amid Russia missile moves

• Reports suggest Tehran allegedly sent short-range missiles to Russia for attacks on Ukraine.
• Western powers imposed new sanctions on Iran’s aviation sector, including its state carrier, Iran Air.
• Ukraine warns it might sever ties with Tehran.

On Thursday, Poland’s foreign minister acknowledged the limited ability to influence Iran, which is already under heavy sanctions, following reports that Tehran allegedly sent short-range missiles to Russia for attacks on Ukraine. Western powers imposed new sanctions this week on Iran’s aviation sector, including its state carrier Iran Air, while Ukraine warned it might sever ties with Tehran.

“The trouble for Poland is that Iran is already under such severe sanctions that there is not that much more that we can do,” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said when asked if Poland, a staunch backer of Ukraine, would also sever ties.

He spoke at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who warned on Tuesday that Russia could begin launching Iranian missiles into Ukraine within weeks. Western powers had cautioned Iran against this action, and Sikorski highlighted that it occurred soon after Iranians elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, viewed as a reformist within the cleric-led government.

“I’m disappointed because we have a new president of Iran. He’s supposedly not as aggressive as the previous butcher of Tehran,” Sikorski said.

“But the policy of sending missiles and drones to use against Ukraine and also using similar equipment against Israel seems to be continuing.”

Poland has a long history with Iran, which sheltered thousands of Polish civilians during World War II. However, as a close ally of the US, Poland has participated in pressure campaigns against Iran. This includes hosting a 2019 conference, encouraged by then-President Donald Trump, aimed at pressuring Tehran.

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