US Says It Will Disrupt Russia Iran Military Ties
The United States announced new military aid for Ukraine Friday and vowed to disrupt Russian Iranian ties, including the possible supply of missiles by Tehran.
The United States announced new military aid for Ukraine Friday and vowed to disrupt Russian Iranian ties, including the possible supply of missiles by Tehran.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Washington was very concerned about the "deepening and burgeoning defense partnership" between Iran and Russia, and would work to disrupt that relationship, including on drones.
Earlier, Barbra Woodward, the British envoy to the United Nations said Friday Moscow is seeking hundreds of ballistic missiles from Tehran and offering unprecedented military support in return.
Woodward said Iran had sent hundreds of drones that Russia had used in Ukraine.
Iran has already supplied Kamikaze drones to Russia that have been used to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, including the power grid.
Tehran and Moscow have denied Western accusations that Russia is using Iranian drones to attack targets in Ukraine, where officials warned on Friday of a winter-long power deficit after repeated Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure.
Two senior Iranian officials and two Iranian diplomats told Reuters in October that Iran had promised to provide Russia with surface-to-surface missiles as well as more drones.
Washington was sending a $275 million package of aid to Ukraine to strengthen air defenses and defeat drones, he said.
"Russia is now attempting to obtain more weapons, including hundreds of ballistic missiles," Woodward told reporters. "In return, Russia is offering Iran an unprecedented level of military and technical support."
