Report: Iran to Ship Missiles, More Drones to Russia

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Facts

  • According to several unnamed senior Iranian officials and diplomats, Iran has allegedly promised to provide Russia with surface-to-surface missiles, along with sending more drones, including explosive “kamikaze” type drones.
  • Russian officials reportedly met with their Iranian counterparts on Oct. 6 and asked for more drones and Iranian ballistic missiles of the more advanced Fateh and Zolfaghar weapons class.
  • An intelligence assessment shared with Ukrainian and US officials asserts that Iran’s armaments industry is readying to ship short-range ballistic missiles capable of striking targets at distances ranging from 300 to 700 km. Sources suggest this is a clear sign of Iran’s growing role as a military supplier to Moscow.
  • Ukraine has reported a string of Russian attacks using Iranian-made drones. On Tuesday, Iran’s foreign ministry dismissed the claim and the Kremlin also denied its forces have used Iranian drones in Ukraine.
  • On Monday, multiple EU states called for sanctions on Iran for allegedly supplying drones to Russia. The bloc has also agreed to sanction Tehran over its crackdown on internal dissent.
  • According to Ukrainian intelligence, Iran has delivered 1,750 drones, each costing just $22.4K (£20K) to build. Last week, Pres. Zelenskyy said Russia is trying to acquire 2,400 more drones from Iran.

Sources: Reuters, Guardian, Washington Post, and Scmp.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by BBC. The Iranian UAVs already transferred to Russia and used in Ukraine — as well as those reportedly pledged — are weapons that breach UN Security Council resolution 2231, which prohibits Iran from transferring certain military technologies. Iran is intentionally violating the rules-based order, and should remain embargoed.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Moscow Times. Claims that Iran is providing Russia with drones to use in Ukraine are baseless allegations fuelled by the political agendas of Western media. Tehran has intentionally refrained from providing weaponry to either side in the Ukrainian conflict, and the West should stop meddling in its neutral stance.