G7 countries warned Iran on Friday not to supply ballistic missiles to Russia, which would lead to “significant new sanctions” against Tehran, according to a joint statement cited by AFP.

“If Iran were to begin supplying ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we would be ready to respond quickly and in a coordinated manner, including with significant new sanctions,” the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Japan warned.

“We are deeply concerned by reports that Iran is considering the transfer of ‘such weapons’ to Russia, after already supplying drones used in relentless attacks on civilians in Ukraine,” the major industrialized nations said.

The United States could not confirm that the ballistic missile deliveries had already taken place, but a senior White House official said there was a “real risk that this would happen.”

“One of the options we considered (within the G7) would be to stop the flights of the national airline Iran Air to Europe,” a high-ranking official, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters during an interview.

He did not give any other specific examples.

For several weeks, Washington has been concerned about the intensification of military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

This comes at a time when “Ukraine’s front lines are becoming more vulnerable every day” and the resumption of large-scale US military aid is currently blocked by Congress, a US official warned.

This concern was echoed on Friday by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken during a visit to Vienna, Austria.

“We have sent very clear messages to Iran to deter them … And I think the concern about that possibility — and the commitment to deal with it if necessary — is very real and very strong,” he told reporters.

The United States is also regularly concerned about military ties between Russia and North Korea, which Washington says has already begun supplying missiles to Moscow.

It remains to be seen what deterrent effect this G7 warning will have.