Russia Seeks Armed Drones from Iran Amid Prolonged Ukraine War

Russian officials visited Iran twice recently to check drone performance
US White House: "Iran preparing to provide Russia with hundreds of precision strike drones"

As the war in Ukraine shows signs of prolonged conflict, there is an analysis that Russia is trying to secure weapons from Iran. The photo shows an underground drone base revealed by the Iranian military.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] As the war in Ukraine shows signs of prolonged conflict, there is an analysis that Russia is trying to secure weapons from Iran.

On the 16th (local time), according to AP News and CNN, Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Advisor, stated in a press release, "Russia has visited Iran at least twice in the past month to acquire missile-equipped drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) for use in the Ukraine war."

In response, it was confirmed that last month, Iran held a presentation at the Kashan airfield south of the capital Tehran to introduce the Shahed-191 and Shahed-129 drones, known as UAVs, to a Russian government delegation.

Iranian drones are known to be capable of carrying missiles equipped with precision strike guidance functions against ground targets.

Advisor Sullivan said, "We have obtained information that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with hundreds of UAVs, including those capable of being armed with weapons."

He added, "Looking at the photos of Iranian UAVs observed by the Russian delegation during their visit in June, it is clear that Russia continues to show interest in acquiring Iranian attack UAVs."

The U.S. government has determined that the visit to the airfield for the drone presentation was Russia's first in June. The White House previously indicated that Iran might begin training Russian forces to use drones as early as this month.

Experts view Western arms support to Ukraine and the rate of Russia's weapon depletion as critical variables that will determine the nature of the future war.

A U.S. official commented, "The strengthening cooperation between Iran and Russia is an example of why the U.S. needs to maintain its presence and influence in the Middle East."

President Joe Biden is currently on a tour of the Middle East. He is scheduled to attend the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, where leaders of the Arab Gulf states will gather, in Saudi Arabia on the same day.

AP News reported that through this event, which concludes Biden’s four-day Middle East tour, he is expected to issue a statement presenting a vision to unite the Middle East against Iran’s attempts to acquire nuclear weapons.