Russia plans to purchase short-range ballistic missiles from Iran - the delivery may take place this spring. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing data from US officials.

"The United States is concerned that Russian negotiations on the purchase of short-range ballistic missiles from Iran are moving forward," said one of the American officials.

"We estimate that Russia intends to purchase missile systems from Iran," he added.

Sources suggest that Iran could supply Russia with the missiles it needs this spring. At the same time, US officials do not believe that the purchase agreement has been completed.

US officials said that Moscow's desire to purchase Iranian missiles became apparent in mid-December, when a Russian delegation visited an Iranian test site to view ballistic missiles and related equipment.

The missiles were presented to the Russians by the Air Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including the short-range Ababil missile.

This visit, which was not previously disclosed, followed the September visit of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to the headquarters of the IRGC Air Force in Tehran. According to US officials, during that visit, Shoigu inspected an exhibition of Ababil missiles and other missile systems.

He also met with Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and boasted that Russian-Iranian relations are reaching a new level.

The publication notes that the Iranian missiles will be an addition to Russia's recent acquisitions, which have included ballistic missile launchers and several dozen ballistic missiles from North Korea.