[1/3] A picture shows the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia as evidence of a new Russian-Iranian cooperation. This handout was purchased on June 9, 2023. White House/Handout via Portal
WASHINGTON, June 9 (Portal) – The White House said on Friday that Russia appears to have deepened its defense cooperation with Iran and received hundreds of single-use attack drones with which to attack Ukraine.
Citing newly released information, the White House said the drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), were built in Iran, shipped across the Caspian Sea and then used by Russian forces against Ukraine.
“Russia has used Iranian drones to attack Kiev and terrorize the Ukrainian people in recent weeks, and the military partnership between Russia and Iran appears to be deepening,” White House spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.
“We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs out of Russia.”
Kirby said the US has information that Russia is receiving materials from Iran needed to build a drone manufacturing facility that could be fully operational early next year.
“We are releasing satellite images of the planned location of this UAV production facility in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone,” he said.
The US has previously imposed sanctions on Iranian arms manufacturer executives for supplying drones to Russia. Iran has admitted sending drones to Russia but has said in the past that they were sent ahead of the Russian invasion in February. Moscow has denied that its forces used Iranian drones in Ukraine. A White House official said Iran has transferred several hundred drones to Russia since August.
Support between Iran and Russia has flowed both ways, Kirby said, with Iran expecting billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia, including helicopters and radars.
“Russia has offered Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including in missiles, electronics and air defense,” he said.
“This is a comprehensive defense partnership that is damaging to Ukraine, Iran’s neighbors and the international community. We continue to use all means at our disposal to detect and disrupt these activities, including by sharing them with the public – and we stand ready to do more.”
Kirby said the drone transfer violated United Nations rules and the United States would seek to hold the two countries accountable.
Britain, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine say supplying Iranian-made drones to Russia violates a 2015 UN Security Council resolution enshrining the Iran nuclear deal.
According to the UN resolution of 2015, a conventional arms embargo against Iran was in effect until October 2020.
Ukraine and western powers argue that the resolution places restrictions on missiles and related technologies until October 2023 and may include the export and purchase of advanced military systems such as drones.
The Iranian and Russian missions to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the US allegations.
“We will continue to impose sanctions on actors involved in the transfer of Iranian military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine,” Kirby said.
He said a new US advisory issued on Friday aimed to “help companies and other governments better understand the risks posed by Iran’s UAV program and Iran’s illegal practices in sourcing.” components for it run out”.
The report highlighted the key elements Iran is seeking to develop its drones, including electronics such as processors and controllers.
Reporting by Jeff Mason and Steve Holland; additional reporting from Michelle Nichols and Daphne Psaledakis; Adaptation by Heather Timmons, Chizu Nomiyama and Marguerita Choy
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