Iran Admits First Drone Export to Russia: "Provided Before Ukraine War"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] Iran has admitted for the first time to providing drones to Russia, AFP reported on the 5th (local time). However, Iran claimed that the export took place before the Ukraine war.

According to the report, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran's Foreign Minister, told the state-run IRNA news agency on the same day, "We provided a limited number of drones to Russia several months before the Ukraine war." Ukraine and Western allies have accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones to carry out attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks.

While Iran had previously denied such allegations, Minister Amir Abdollahian changed his stance, saying, "During a phone call with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister last week, we agreed that if there is evidence (that Russia used Iranian drones), it will be provided to us," and that they would review the evidence if presented. However, he denied claims that Iran also supplied missiles to Russia, calling them "completely false."

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry warned in a Facebook post on the same day, "The consequences of Iran colluding with Russia will far outweigh any benefits gained from supporting Russia." Ukrainian authorities claim that about 400 Iranian-made drones have already been used in attacks on Ukrainian civilians, and that Russian authorities have ordered approximately 2,000 drones from Iran. The United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) have imposed sanctions on three Iranian generals and weapons companies for supplying drones to Russia.