WASHINGTON/LONDON May 9 (Reuters) - Iran is preparing to deliver in the near future launchers for short-range ballistic missiles that the U.S. said Tehran sent to Russia last year for use against Ukraine, according to two Western security officials and a regional official.

The delivery of the Fath-360 launchers - if it occurs - would help support Russia’s grinding assault on its neighbor and reaffirm the deepening security ties between Moscow and Tehran.