US claims about sending drones to Russia to use in its war in Ukraine were dismissed by Iran on Friday.
The statement came in a phone call between Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
The claims made by US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan during President Joe Biden’s Middle East tour had a “specific political goal,” Amir-Abdollahian said.
In order to use in its war in Ukraine, the White House believes Iran is preparing to supply Russia with “hundreds” of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including weapons-capable drones, which are now into their fifth month, it said on Monday.
Sullivan said on Monday said it was not clear whether Iran had already sent any of its unmanned systems to Russia but said the US has “information” suggesting that it is preparing to train Russian forces to use them. Sullivan is accompanying Biden on his maiden regional tour to Israel and Saudi Arabia.
While en route to Tel Aviv that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to deepen ties with Iran represented a “profound threat,” Sullivan said on Wednesday.
