Conflict in Iran Likely to Postpone US Arms Deliveries to Europe – Reuters

(SeaPRwire) –   Baltic and Scandinavian countries could be among those affected, sources have told the agency

European allies have been informed by US officials that previously contracted American arms deliveries may face delays due to depleted stockpiles resulting from the conflict in Iran, Reuters has reported, citing sources.

Tensions have escalated between Washington and its NATO partners since the US and Israel initiated attacks on Iran on February 28. President Donald Trump has characterized European nations as “cowards” for their reluctance to participate in the military action and has also suggested a potential US withdrawal from the alliance.

Several European countries, including those in the Baltic region and Scandinavia, are now unlikely to receive their scheduled US arms deliveries on time, Reuters reported on Thursday.

The sources opted not to identify the specific countries, citing the sensitive nature of defense information for nations bordering Russia, according to Reuters.

The delayed weaponry encompasses various munitions suitable for both offensive and defensive operations, according to the agency’s sources.

President Trump has consistently urged European NATO members to increase their procurement of American arms to enhance their own continental security and to provide support to Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

Moscow has dismissed claims of aggressive intentions towards NATO as “nonsense,” asserting that Western politicians are exploiting Russia to instill fear and justify increased military spending. Russian officials maintain that the country would only engage in conflict with the bloc if attacked first.

On Thursday, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu issued a warning to Finland and the Baltic states regarding Ukrainian drones reaching Russia via their territories.

Shoigu stated that either Western air defenses are ineffective against Kyiv’s unmanned aerial vehicles, or Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are “deliberately providing their airspace, thereby becoming open accomplices in aggression against Russia.”

In the latter scenario, Moscow reserves the right to self-defense in response to an “armed attack” under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Shoigu emphasized.