Iran delivered to Russia the first batch of two types of military drones this month as part of a larger order totaling hundreds of combat aircraft, according to an Iranian government adviser and Two US administration officials were not authorized to speak on the record.
US officials say Russia may deploy Iranian-made drones in the war against Ukraine to conduct air-to-ground attacks, conduct electronic warfare and identify targets.
Iran has officially said it will not provide military equipment to any party to the conflict but has confirmed that the drone deal with Russia is part of a military agreement that predates the conflict. invade Ukraine.
For several days in August, Russian transport planes loaded the drones at an airport in Iran and then flew to Russia, according to two US officials. technical problems.
Drone shipment and mechanical issues, previously reported by Washington Posts.
Iran’s military agreement with Russia is part of the Islamic Republic’s larger strategy towards forming a strategic economic partnership with China and a security partnership with Russia.
The shift, analysts say, accelerated after President Donald Trump walked away from the nuclear deal and imposed tough sanctions on Iran. European companies, fearing secondary US sanctions, subsequently ended nearly all business and investment dealings with Iran, forcing the country to head east and north.
Sina Azodi, a non-resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, an international affairs institute, said: “From Iran’s point of view, relations with the US cannot be improved and Europe is not strong enough to protect it. protect Iran’s interests. “But Russia and China can help Iran against the West.”
For its part, Russia has found a new ally is welcome in Iran to help it avoid sanctions that much of the world imposed after the invasion of Ukraine. President Vladimir V. Putin traveled to Iran in July to meet the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior officials.
Two types of drones being supplied to Russia are the Iranian-made Mohajer-6 and Shahed series. Russian operators are receiving drone training in Iran, according to Iranian advisers and American officials familiar with the transfer.
The Mohajer-6 is capable of reconnaissance and surveillance missions, and the Shahed series is considered to be one of Iran’s most capable military drones, according to the Iranian military’s comments with other means. local media.
Iran is a pioneer in drone technology, with at least four decades of design and manufacturing experience, and it has supplied combat drones to military groups and forces. proxy militias in Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.
Officials in Israel, the United States and some Sunni Arab countries like Saudi Arabia say they are more and more interested Iran’s advanced drone technology could destabilize the region and empower Iran-backed militias.
inside shadow war between Iran and IsraelIranian drones have participated in attacks on ships and have Targeting US military bases in Iraq and Syria. Israel also has being attacked a secret facility in western Iran where hundreds of drones are believed to have been stored.
Iran has been quiet increase sales of its drones beyond the region as it seeks to become a global player in the drone market. Iran has sold drones to Ethiopia, Sudan and Venezuela; in May, it inaugurated a joint drone factory in Tajikistan.
The America has been warned since last month when Russia planned to receive drones from Iran. The Russian military is experiencing a major supply shortage in Ukraine, partly due to sanctions and export controls that have forced Russia to depend on countries like Iran for supplies and equipment.
The terms of the Iran-Russia drone deal were not immediately clear. Government advisers say no money has been exchanged.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, will travel to Moscow on Wednesday to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergey V. Lavrov, to discuss the latest negotiations for a nuclear deal, Iran’s foreign ministry said. newspaper on Monday.
