The European Union says it has received reliable information about Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles. Countermeasures have already been developed and are awaiting approval by all EU member states.

"We confirm to have received credible information about the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles to Russia," Peter Stano, spokesman for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said in Brussels on Tuesday.

He believes that the supply of ballistic missiles "will likely assist Russia's escalatory bombing campaign against Ukrainian civilians, cities and civilian infrastructure, further increasing civilian casualties and destruction." "It represents a further military escalation by Russia and an escalation in Iran's support to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which violates UN Charter, international law and international humanitarian law," the spokesman said.

Stano said EU High Representative Borrell had repeatedly warned Iran against such a move in his bilateral contacts with Iranian partners, and EU leaders had also been very clear in the conclusions adopted following the European Council meeting in March, stating that "the EU Union will respond swiftly and in coordination with international partners, including with new and significant restrictive measures against Iran."

"Such support to Russia's terrorising campaign against Ukraine's population will be met with a strong EU response. High Representative Borrell has already put to EU Member States a substantial set of decisive and targeted measures as part of EU's response, which will have to be agreed unanimously by all Member States," he said.