New evidence of Russia, Iran expanding defense partnership - U.S.
The United States has discovered new signs that Iran continues to sell combat drones and other weapons to Russia despite the ban adopted, in particular, by a resolution of the UN Security Council.
This was stated on Monday during an online briefing by White House national security coordinator John Kirby, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"We continue to see indications that Iran and Russia are expanding their unprecedented defense partnership. Iran remains Russia's top military backer," official said.
He added that Tehran had already provided Russia with artillery and tank rounds to be used against targets in Ukraine, and also continues to supply kamikaze drones to the Russian forces.
"Since August, Iran has provided Russia with more than 400 UAVs primarily of the Shaheed variety," Kirby said.
He emphasized that in this way Iran has been directly enabling Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
"Interactions between Iran and Russia in matters regarding the selling of advanced weapons, especially more advanced UAVs are now continuing," said representative of the U.S. administration.
At the same time, according to Kirby, “support is flowing both ways” between Moscow and Tehran. In particular, the Russians offered Iran missiles, electronics, and air defense equipment.
"Last month, Iran announced that it had finalized a deal to buy SU-35 fighter jets from Russia. Iran is seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia including attack helicopters, radars, and Yak-130 combat trainer aircraft," Kirby noted, adding that it is nearly billions worth of capabilities.
The White House official emphasized that such a partnership between Moscow and Tehran not only increases the threat to Ukraine but also destabilizes the situation in the Middle East, which in turn threatens the nations in the region and the international community as a whole.
"We are using the tools at our disposal to expose and disrupt these activities and we are prepared to do more," U.S. official emphasized.
He emphasized that such interactions violate Resolution 2231 of the UN Security Council.
"We will continue to work with allies and partners and with the UN on ways to hold them accountable. We will also continue to impose costs on the actors involved in the transfer of Iranian military equipment to Russia for use in Ukraine," said the US representative.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, Russian terrorist forces continue to shell peaceful cities across Ukraine, employing Iranian kamikaze drones. At the same time, Western allies are supplying air defense capabilities to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to provide protection against air and missile strikes by Russian forces.