The White House is set to further tighten export controls to prevent Western components from reaching Iran for use in drone production, and has authorized new sanctions against Iran and Russia.
The White House noted that Russia wanted to acquire additional advanced attack drones from Iran for use in the war against Ukraine after Moscow used most of the 400 drones purchased from Tehran earlier.
Last year, the Biden administration released satellite imagery and intelligence it said indicated Iran had sold hundreds of attack drones to Russia. For months, officials have said the United States believed Iran was exploring the possibility of selling hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia, but Washington has no evidence of a deal.
“Iran also continues to supply kamikaze attack drones to Russia. Since August, Iran has delivered more than 400 drones to Russia, mostly of the Shaheed series,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
“Russia has used most of these drones, using them to strike Ukrainian critical infrastructure inside Ukraine. “By transferring these drones to Russia, Iran is directly supporting Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine,” Kirby told reporters.
The Shaheed drones that Russia has already purchased are equipped with explosives and programmed for level flight, after which they dive into the target.
Kirby said Russia was exploring the possibility of acquiring even more advanced drones “capable of even greater lethality.”
The US statements are part of a broader effort to declassify and release intelligence aimed at holding Moscow accountable for its nearly 15-month war in Ukraine in hopes of furthering Russia’s global isolation.
The Biden administration said the Kremlin’s reliance on Iran and North Korea, countries largely marginalized internationally because of their nuclear programs and human rights record, showed the despair of Moscow.
The White House says Russia is turning to North Korea for artillery.
US officials said Iran has also been supplying Russia with artillery shells and tank shells since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
“This is a full-fledged defense partnership that harms Ukraine, the Middle East region and the international community,” Kirby said, adding that Iran was “the main military support of Russia” since the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
Iran claimed to have supplied drones to Russia before the start of the war, but not after. North Korea said it did not supply Russia with shells.
According to the White House, Iran wants to buy additional military equipment from Russia, including helicopter gunships, radars and Yak-130 combat training aircraft. In April, Tehran announced a deal to buy Su-35 fighter jets from Russia.
The White House also said earlier that Russia and Iran are considering establishing an assembly line in Russia to produce drones for use in the conflict in Ukraine.
“All in all, Iran wants billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia,” Kirby said.
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