Iran admits delivering drones to Russia before war in Ukraine

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian speaking in Tehran at the end of October 2022. AFP - -

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

The Islamic Republic of Iran acknowledged, this Saturday, November 5, for the first time, having provided drones to the Russian Federation.

It was before the war in Ukraine, at the end of February.

The announcement was made by Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Until now, Tehran had always denied these claims.

Advertising

Read more

With our correspondent in Tehran,

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian claimed that Iran had sold combat drones to Russia, but that these sales took place before the outbreak of war in Ukraine. 

He added that these were deliveries of drones in small numbers and that Iran had not supplied missiles to Russia.

The United States and Ukraine have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia for the war in Ukraine.

Iran has denied this, saying that Tehran refused to supply arms to any of the parties involved in the conflict.

This is the first time Tehran has admitted supplying drones to Russia.

Tehran has developed a vast program for the construction of surveillance and combat drones for several years, which worries Western countries, in particular the United States, but also Israel.

Reaction in Kyiv  

Tehran's " 

 " with Moscow will have consequences, and these " 

 ", Ukrainian diplomacy said on Saturday November 5, after Tehran admitted having delivered drones to Russia before the start of the Russian invasion.

" 

 ," the spokesperson for the government said on Facebook. Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko.

with agencies

►Read again: Ukraine: Iranian-made suicide drones crash near kyiv

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

• Iran

• Ukraine

• Russia

• Defense

• Diplomacy