For the first time since the invasion of Ukraine, Iran on Saturday admitted that it has sent drones to Russia, however, maintained they were supplied to its ally before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that; ‘We supplied Russia with a limited number of drones months before the war in Ukraine’.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that Ukraine and its Western allies have on many occasions accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones in recent weeks to carry out attacks in Ukraine. Tehran has repeatedly denied these claims.
Iran has meanwhile, continued to deny that it has been supplying arms to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.
“In a telephone conversation with the Ukrainian foreign minister last week, we agreed that if there was evidence (of Moscow’s use of Iranian drones), he would provide it to us,” Amir-Abdollahian said.
Read Also: Russia Suspends Involvement In Ukraine Grain Deal
“If the Ukrainian side keeps its promise, we can discuss this issue in the coming days and we will take into account their evidence,” he added.
The Iranian foreign minister again denied his country had supplied missiles to Russia, calling the accusations “completely false”.
The Washington Post reported on October 16 that Iran was preparing to ship missiles to Russia.
Kyiv has said around 400 Iranian drones have already been used against the civilian population of Ukraine, and that Moscow has ordered around 2,000.
In response to these transfers, the European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on three Iranian generals and an arms firm accused of supplying Russia with drones.
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that sometime in September, Kyiv decided to significantly reduce diplomatic relations with Tehran because of alleged arms shipments to the country.
