Russia and Iran continue to expand their military cooperation. Tehran is supplying Moscow with modern combat drones on a large scale, while Iran is getting Russian fighter jets, among other things.
Moscow/Tehran - Rome, Paris, Berlin and London: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently been on the road a lot and has visited several European capitals. Probably the most important goal of his travels: Further commitments for arms deliveries from the Western allies, which were then also made by Germany and Great Britain, among others. Not only Ukraine, but also Russia is apparently dependent on further arms deliveries in the Ukraine war. Iran is an important point of contact for Moscow.
According to the United States, Russia and Iran are deepening their military cooperation. The two countries are in the process of "expanding their unprecedented defense partnership," said US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby. According to them, Russia is primarily interested in the modern Iranian combat drones. Since August 2022, Iran has delivered more than 400 drones to Russia, Kirby said.
Russia is using Iranian combat drones against Ukraine. (Archive image) © IRANIAN ARMY OFFICE/AFP
Iran is one of Russia's most important supporters in the Ukraine war
Most of the 400 drones have already been used in the war against Ukraine - mainly with the aim of destroying critical infrastructure there. Iran is one of Moscow's main military backers and allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue killing Ukrainians, Kirby said. In return for the Iranian drones, Tehran wants to buy attack helicopters, training fighter jets and radars from Moscow, according to US information. For some time now, there has apparently been a lively arms trade between the states.
In addition, Russia is said to be supplying US weapons captured in the Ukraine war to Iran - presumably to replicate them there. The multibillion-dollar partnership with Russia, according to Kirby, allows Iran to continue destabilizing actions in the Middle East. "This is a comprehensive defense partnership that is detrimental to Ukraine, the Middle East region, and the international community," Kirby said.
Increasing arms deals between Russia and Iran
The U.S. government is using all means at its disposal to stop these "activities," the spokesman added. The United States wants to use the expansion of Russian-Iranian cooperation as an opportunity for further punitive measures. In the coming days, according to Kirby, additional sanctions will be imposed on all those involved in the increasing arms deals between Russia and Iran.
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The U.S. has already implemented far-reaching sanctions against both countries, but there is still room for further punitive measures. In addition, the other G7 heads of state are currently planning to tighten sanctions against Russia at their summit in Japan from 19 to 21 May. Among other things, this will involve a far-reaching export ban. Meanwhile, the European Union is working on its 11th package of sanctions against Russia. (Gregor-José Moser)
