A top US official says Iran is preparing to send weapons-capable drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Image source, Iranian Army/Getty ImagesIran plans to supply Russia with potentially hundreds of drones for its war in Ukraine, some with combat capabilities, a US official has said.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said information received by the US suggests Iran is preparing to train Russian forces to use the drones.
He added that it was unclear if Iran had delivered them yet.
Drones have been integral to the ongoing war for both Ukraine and Russia.
Just last week, Ukraine appealed for donations of thousands of drones to aid its war efforts.
Mr Sullivan added that intelligence received by the US supports the view that Russia’s assault on eastern Ukraine is “coming at a cost to the sustainment of its own weapons”.
He also observed that Iranian drones have previously been used by Yemen’s Houthi rebels to attack Saudi Arabia.
His comments came ahead of US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel and Saudi Arabia this week. Neither country has so far joined sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine.
Israel sees Iran, which calls for its elimination, as its biggest regional threat.
The US and other allies have supplied billions of dollars worth of weapons to Ukraine since the invasion in February.
Mr Sullivan said the US would continue to “sustain the effective defence of Ukraine”.
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