This assurance comes in response to recent reports indicating that the United States has urged Tehran to halt the sale of drones to Moscow.
Russia’s military alliance with Iran remains unwavering despite external pressures, as affirmed by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov
In a statement reported by Russian state news agency RIA on Saturday, Ryabkov emphasized, “There are no changes, and cooperation with Iran will continue.” He further emphasized the autonomy of both nations, asserting that they do not submit to the dictates of the United States and its affiliated nations. The primary point of contention revolves around Iran’s provision of armed drones, utilized by Russia’s military in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict. The Financial Times had disclosed that the U.S. had applied pressure on Iran to cease these drone sales, citing insights from an Iranian official and an individual familiar with the negotiation process.
Although Iran openly acknowledges its dispatch of drones to Russia’s military, it contends that these transactions occurred prior to Russia’s military incursion into Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has steadfastly denied employing Iranian drones during its operations in Ukraine.
Concurrently, Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for the Iranian defense ministry, reaffirmed the continuity of drone-related transactions with various countries, including Russia’s military
Iranian state media conveyed Talaei-Nik‘s assertion that no cancellations have transpired in these dealings.
Moreover, Talaei-Nik unveiled that unspecified “Western and European countries” have shown interest in procuring Iranian drones, signaling a broader appeal of Iran’s drone technology.
Russia’s military integrated Iranian-manufactured Shahed drones into its offensive strategy in Ukraine last year. Renowned as kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles, these drones possess the unique capability of launching and detonating upon impact without the requirement of a conventional runway.
In a separate development, a White House representative disclosed in June that Iran had transferred a substantial quantity of drones to Russia’s military since August 2022. Despite the pressures and negotiations in progress, Russia’s utilization of Iranian drones continues to shape the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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