After denials, Iran finally admits sending drones to Russia
Iran has admitted supplying Russia with drones after previously denying they armed Putin’s forces in their war against Ukraine.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian revealed news of the weapons shipment as Russia sent the drones to target Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian areas.
Iranian officials claimed the deal was done before Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Amir-Abdollahian said: “We gave a number of drones to Russia months before the Ukraine war.”
He claimed Iran was unaware of how the drones were being used in Ukraine and claimed Iran remained committed to stopping the conflict.
Amir-Abdollahian said: “If Ukraine has any documents in their possession that Russia used Iranian drones in Ukraine, they should provide them to us.
“If it is proven to us that Russia used Iranian drones, we will not be indifferent to this issue.”
Earlier this week, Iran’s ambassador to the UN Amir Saeid Iravani called the allegations unfounded and reiterated his country’s position of neutrality in the war. The US and its allies on the UN Security Council have called on Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to investigate if Russia has used Iranian drones to attack civilians in Ukraine.
Ukraine will endure a series of blackouts after Russia targeted energy infrastructure, according to Ukraine’s state electricity operator.
Kyiv and seven other regions of the country will face regular blackouts in coming days.