WASHINGTON: The White House claimed on Friday that Moscow appeared to be deepening its defense ties and cooperation with Tehran and had received hundreds of drones that it is using to attack Ukraine.
Citing newly declassified materials, US officials said the drones were made in Iran, shipped across the Caspian Sea, and then utilized by Russian troops against Ukraine.
Moscow has received Iranian Drones to strike Ukraine: White House
“Russian forces have been using Iranian drones in recent days to assault Kyiv and terrorize people in Ukraine, and the Russia-Iran military cooperation appears to be deepening,” White House spokesperson John Kirby said. He said they were also concerned that “Moscow and Iran are working to make Iranian UAVs in Russia.”
According to the spokesperson, Washington had information that Russians were receiving parts from Tehran required to develop a drone-producing plant that could be completely operational in the upcoming year. He claimed, “We are releasing satellite imagery of the planned location,”.
The United States has earlier sanctioned Iranians at a defense manufacturer over drone provisions to Russia. Tehran has admitted sending drones to Moscow but said the drones were provided before Russia’s February attack. Moscow has rejected its troops using Iranian drones in the Ukraine war.
“Moscow has been offering Tehran extraordinary defense cooperation, including on electronics, missiles, and air defense,” John Kirby. “This is complete defense cooperation that is injurious to Ukraine, to Iran’s neighbors, and to the world and we are continuing to expose and disrupt these activities.”
He termed the transfers of drones as a violation of UN rules and Washington would seek to hold the two states responsible, according to Reuters.
France, Britain, Germany, Ukraine, and the US say the supply of drones to Russia violates a 2015 UN Security Council Resolution preserving the Iran nuclear agreement. Kirby further said that they would continue to impose sanctions on the elements involved in the transfer of Iranian equipment to Moscow for use in the Ukraine war,”.
However, Iranian and Russian missions to the UN did not respond to a request for comment on the US allegations.
