TEHRAN- Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York has refuted claims made by Western media that the Islamic Republic has supplied ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.

In a statement released on Friday, the mission reiterated that Iran's stance on the Ukraine war, which advocates for avoiding actions that could escalate hostilities, remains unchanged. 

“Iran's position regarding the Ukraine conflict has not altered. The provision of military support to any party involved in the conflict, which results in increased casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and a setback in ceasefire negotiations, is deemed inhumane by Iran,” the statement noted.

The Iranian mission further urged an end to the transfer of arms to both sides of the conflict. 

The statement continued, “Iran not only refrains from participating in such actions but also calls on other nations to halt the supply of weapons to the conflicting parties.”

On the same day, U.S. officials expressed alarm over what they termed a perilous escalation in the Ukraine war, following reports from Western media that Iran had delivered short-range ballistic missiles to Russia.

Western nations, particularly the U.S., Britain, and France, have repeatedly accused Iran of supplying arms to Russia since the war began in February 2022.

On Thursday, Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saied Iravani, firmly dismissed the “groundless and misleading” accusations in correspondence he sent to the UN Secretary-General and the president of the UN Security Council. 

“It is both ironic and hypocritical that three nations directly engaged in the Ukraine conflict, which has significantly escalated the situation by supplying advanced weaponry, would make such unfounded assertions against Iran,” Iravani stated. 

He further noted that the influx of Western arms has extended the duration of the Ukraine war and caused harm to civilians and their infrastructure.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran perceives these allegations as nothing more than the narrow-minded and short-sighted political agendas of these three permanent members of the Security Council, intended to further their political objectives,” the Iranian envoy concluded.

Previously, Iran asserted that its missile program is intended solely for defensive measures and adheres to international regulations. 

The security officials have also refuted claims regarding the transfer of missiles to other nations, labeling these accusations as part of a “disinformation campaign” aimed at undermining the government.