Russia also uses Iranian drones in attacks on Ukraine. The US fears that Tehran will supply more weapons for the war, including modern guided missiles. Kyiv is therefore demanding that the country be classified as a party to the conflict.
The US government fears possible further arms deliveries from Iran to Russia for the war against Ukraine. Concerns remain that Iran could supply Moscow with weapons other than combat drones, such as surface-to-surface missiles, said National Security Council communications director John Kirby. A Defense Department spokesman said the US would disclose if it observed such weapons from Iran being used in Ukraine. Iran has denied arms sales to Russia.
In October, the US government denounced that combat drones from Iran were being used in the Ukraine war – and that Tehran had sent its own military personnel to Crimea to train the Russians in how to use the drones and to offer them technical assistance.
Kirby once again raised serious allegations against Iran: “The regime is involved in the murder of innocent Ukrainians,” he said. The leadership in Tehran “openly and willingly becomes an accomplice in the murder of innocent Ukrainian people on Ukrainian soil.”
In the face of reports of new arms deliveries, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliak called for Europe to classify Iran as a party to the conflict and as a participant in the aggression. “If Iran hands over missiles to Russia, it knows full well that our cities will be attacked with them,” Podoljak wrote on Twitter. And if Iran teaches Russia how to use drones, it knows full well that they will attack Ukraine’s energy sector, triggering a flight to the EU. “Tehran is an accomplice in the aggression and must be officially recognized as such.”
The US broadcaster CNN had previously reported, citing officials from a Western country, that Iran was preparing to deliver around 1,000 additional weapons to Russia. These include short-range surface-to-surface missiles and other attack drones. The weapons are said to be used in the war against Ukraine. It would be the first time Iran has shipped modern precision guided missiles to Russia.
