Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Iran supplied Russia with drones before Moscow launched an offensive on Ukraine. AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Iran supplied Russia with drones before Moscow launched an offensive on Ukraine. AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Iran supplied Russia with drones before Moscow launched an offensive on Ukraine. AFP
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said Iran supplied Russia with drones before Moscow launched an offensive on Ukraine. AFP

MENA

Iran says it gave drones to Russia before Ukraine invasion

Tehran sent 'small' number of drones to Moscow but no missiles, foreign minister claims

Holly Johnston
Holly Johnston

November 05, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Iran says it gave drones to Russia in the months before Moscow invaded Ukraine, backtracking on previous claims it never supplied weapons to Russia.

Tehran provided a "small number of drones" to Russia in the months before the war, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said in comments published by state-affiliated outlets. Iran had previously refuted growing evidence it had sent drones and other weapons to Moscow.

Mr Amirabdollahian denied that Iran had also sent missiles to Moscow and said Tehran will "react" if it is proven Iranian drones have been used by Russia in Ukraine.

An army spokesperson later claimed that Iran is "not involved" in the war.

Ukraine and its western allies say Tehran sent drones to support Russia's offensive. The EU and US have stepped up sanctions on Iran over its material support for Moscow.

Foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko warned Iran following Moscow's admission.

"Tehran should realise that the consequences of complicity in the crimes of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine will be much greater than the benefit of Russia's support," he wrote on Facebook.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently vowed to take down Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones, which have been deployed in multiple offensives on Ukraine, including on strikes in the centre of Kyiv.

Speaking next to a downed Shahed drone, Mr Zelenskyy promised to "clip the wings" of Moscow's air power.

Ukraine's air force said it has downed more than 300 Iranian drones, while the US said Tehran has sent drone trainers to occupied areas of Ukraine.

On Friday, Nato said Tehran could send ballistic missiles to Russia to be used in the conflict.

Iran is preparing to send another 1,000 drones and missiles to Moscow, military experts told The National earlier this week.

The shipment is being closely monitored by the West as it marks the first surface-to-surface missiles to be sent by Iran, they said.

Iran displays drones at secret underground base — in pictures

Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, and Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, Army Commander-in-Chief, visit an underground drone base at an undisclosed location in Iran. AFP
Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, and Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, Army Commander-in-Chief, visit an underground drone base at an undisclosed location in Iran. AFP
Iranian state media revealed the existence of a drone base, said to be in the Zagros Mountains, in reports on a visit to the facility by Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Reuters
Iranian state media revealed the existence of a drone base, said to be in the Zagros Mountains, in reports on a visit to the facility by Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Reuters
The Iranian Army released photos of a wide variety of drones lined up in long tunnels. AFP
The Iranian Army released photos of a wide variety of drones lined up in long tunnels. AFP
Iranian Army drones believed to be held at an underground facility in the Zagros Mountains, a range that runs 1,600 kilometres through Iran, Iraq and Turkey. AFP
Iranian Army drones believed to be held at an underground facility in the Zagros Mountains, a range that runs 1,600 kilometres through Iran, Iraq and Turkey. AFP
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. Senior officers in the Iranian military say its drone force gives it regional leadership. AFP
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. Senior officers in the Iranian military say its drone force gives it regional leadership. AFP
An Iranian military drone is inspected at a secret underground site. Reuters
An Iranian military drone is inspected at a secret underground site. Reuters
Iran's unmanned aircraft programme has come up with dozens of kinds of drones since the middle of the 1980s. AFP
Iran's unmanned aircraft programme has come up with dozens of kinds of drones since the middle of the 1980s. AFP
Reminders of the Iranian Army's revolutionary heritage are seen at an underground facility when drones are stored. AFP
Reminders of the Iranian Army's revolutionary heritage are seen at an underground facility when drones are stored. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
Iran's missile development has come along in tandem with programmes to developed military drones. AFP
Iran's missile development has come along in tandem with programmes to developed military drones. AFP
Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri and Army Commander-in-Chief Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi. AFP
Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri and Army Commander-in-Chief Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi. AFP
Photos from an underground Iranian military base show development of several drone platforms. AFP
Photos from an underground Iranian military base show development of several drone platforms. AFP
A heavy payload for a drone at a secret underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
A heavy payload for a drone at a secret underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
Iran introduced the IAIO Fotros surveillance drone late in 2013. AFP
Iran introduced the IAIO Fotros surveillance drone late in 2013. AFP
Iran's developing missile technology has been used by Tehran's allies around the Middle East. AFP
Iran's developing missile technology has been used by Tehran's allies around the Middle East. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.

Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.

The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

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Bundesliga fixtures

Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)

Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm) 

RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm) 

Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm) 

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn  (4.30pm) 

Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm) 

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)

Sunday, May 17

Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),

Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)

Monday, May 18

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)

Specs

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A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber

Updated: November 05, 2022, 2:33 PM`
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