WASHINGTON (AP) — Russia has had technical problems with Iranian-made drones bought this month from Tehran for use in its war with Ukraine, according to officials in the Biden government.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss US intelligence’s assessment, did not provide details of the “countless failures”. month is likely part of a Russian plan to purchase hundreds of Iranian UAVs.
The Associated Press reported last week that Russia had recently been given hundreds of Iranian drones to be used in its war against Ukraine, despite US warnings to Tehran not to ship them. The Washington Post first reported that Russia has had technical problems with Iran’s drones.
Russian operators will continue to receive training in Iran on how to use these systems, which can conduct air-to-ground strikes, electronic warfare and targeting of the battlefield in Ukraine, officials said.
The Biden administration released satellite images last month showing Russian officials visited Kashan Airfield on June 8 and July 5 to view the Iranian drones. At the time, Jake Sullivan, the White House’s national security adviser, claimed the government has “information that the Iranian government is preparing to supply Russia with hundreds of UAVs.”
Facing economic sanctions and restrictions on its supply chains as a result of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia is turning to Iran as a key partner and supplier of weapons. Russian planes were loaded with the UAV equipment at an airport in Iran for several days this month before the weapons were flown to Russia, officials said.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier Monday that the government had “no update” on whether the drones had been delivered. He added that the US “hasn’t seen anything that gives us a sense of comfort” and that “procurement and delivery are still lurking, still ahead.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein-Amir Abdollahian said last month that Tehran had “various forms of cooperation with Russia, including in the defense sector”.
“But we will not help either side involved in this war because we believe it (the war) must be stopped,” he said.
The government officials confirmed details about Iran providing Russia with drones at a time when the White House is also trying to urge Tehran to resume compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.
The government last week finalized its assessment of Iran’s comments on a European proposal to restart the agreement negotiated during President Barack Obama’s administration and scrapped by then-President Donald Trump in 2018. .
