A Russian delegation visited an airfield in central Iran at least twice in the past month to examine weaponry-capable drones, according to US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and satellite imagery obtained exclusively by the United States. CNN .
Iran presented the Shahed-191 and Shahed-129 drones, also known as UAVs or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, to Russia at Kashan airfield south of the capital Tehran in June, US officials told CNN . Both types of drones are capable of carrying precision-guided missiles.
“We have information that the Iranian government is preparing to supply Russia with hundreds of UAVs, including weapons capable ones,” Sullivan told CNN in a statement.
“We assess that an official Russian delegation has recently received an offer of Iranian strike-capable UAVs,” Sullivan added. “We are releasing these images captured in June showing Iranian UAVs that the Russian government delegation observed. This suggests Russian interest in acquiring Iranian strike-capable UAVs.”
Sullivan said that, as far as the US is aware, the June visit “was the first time a Russian delegation has visited this airfield for an observation of this kind.” A Russian delegation visited the site for a similar display again on July 5, officials said.
The news comes as Biden wraps up his trip to the Middle East, where Iran has been a key talking point between the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries. A US official told the CNN that the growing partnership between Iran and Russia demonstrates the need for the US to maintain its presence and influence in the Middle East.
Biden remains under increasing pressure from the region’s allies to come up with a workable plan to restrict Iran’s access to nuclear weapons, as hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal have faded after talks stalled in Qatar last month.
White House officials revealed earlier this week that US intelligence indicates Iran is expected to supply Russia with “hundreds” of drones for use in the war in Ukraine, with the Middle Eastern country preparing to train Russian forces on how to operate. them as soon as possible.
For the US, Russia has apparently turned to Iran to help replenish its drone stockpiles. It’s unclear how sophisticated or effective these drones will be for conflict, however.
Russia had already asked China for help to support its war in Ukraine, US officials said in March. As of the end of May, the Americans had seen no evidence of any Chinese military or economic support for Russia for the invasion, Sullivan told reporters at the time.
Source: CNN Brasil
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