Portnikov: Iran’s threats to Ukraine and Russia’s involvement clarified

Iran lacks the capacity to alter the dynamic on Ukrainian soil, as its resources are substantially dwarfed by those of Russia.

The Tehran regime’s warnings of potential missile attacks on Ukraine could indicate a larger escalation plan that encompasses the spread of the conflict into the heart of Europe.

Journalist Vitaly Portnikov communicated this perspective during an Espresso broadcast.

“Concerning the gravity of the danger Ukraine faces from the Iranian government, it remains uncertain how many long-range projectiles remain in Iran’s inventory. According to the intelligence community, they once possessed a specific quantity of missiles capable of reaching nations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Thus, nations like Ukraine, Poland, and possibly the eastern portion of Germany fell within the range of potential devastation from these projectiles,” Portnikov remarked.

He further mentioned that it is presently unknown if Iran has preserved this ability following operations by the US and Israeli forces.

“Whether they still exist following the American and Israeli bombardments remains unclear. The exact count of these missiles was never entirely known, but their available numbers were restricted,” the journalist added.

In his analysis, even the presence of Iranian missiles cannot dramatically influence Ukraine’s circumstances, as their quantity is far less than Russia’s capacity for strikes.

“The quantity of these Iranian missiles is not substantial enough to shift our predicament compared to the Russian capabilities.”

“Even the volume of drones that targeted, for example, the United Arab Emirates, cannot be equated to the drones that assailed Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and other regions of Ukraine tonight, March 14,” Portnikov clarified.

Simultaneously, he suggested that the genuine peril resides in the possible extension of the war beyond Ukrainian boundaries.

“This threat isn’t directed at us, but rather at the possibility of the conflict expanding to Central Europe, with the Russians perhaps aiming to utilize the Iranians to target certain American assets in Central Europe, such as those in Poland.”

Now, such an event would signify a shift in the situation, not assaults on Ukraine. The Iranians had previously deployed “shaheeds” that struck us during the initial months of the major war. To envision another missile or two arriving from their direction changes nothing fundamentally.

“For Poland, this represents a major alteration. This amounts to an encroachment upon NATO territory,” the journalist emphasized.

He also pointed out that even with considerable military might, the United States cannot consistently achieve its objectives.

“The US has immense capabilities in this conflict, but they are still unable to accomplish what they desired. It is uncertain to what extent the inclusion of NATO’s potential will genuinely alter the situation,” Portnikov concluded.

It was previously reported that Ebrahim Azizi, the leader of Iran’s parliamentary committee on national security, menaced Ukraine with strikes, accusing them of providing assistance to Israel with drones.

Subsequently, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, affirmed that Iran has been aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine for a prolonged period, supplying drones and military technology. Therefore, the declarations of Tehran’s representatives, involving threats against Kyiv, appear illogical.