KABUL (BNA) The U.S. has accused the Iranian government of helping Russia to build a drone manufacturing plant near Moscow, in an escalation of their defense cooperation.
In a statement on Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby cited US intelligence findings that indicated Iran had provided material support for the plant, which could be operational by early next year.
US officials also double-downed on claims that Iran has sent hundreds of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for use in Ukraine, where a full-scale invasion was launched in 2022, according to reports on media.
“Russia has been using Iranian UAVs in recent weeks to strike Kyiv and terrorize the Ukrainian population, and the Russia-Iran military partnership appears to be deepening,” Kirby said in Friday’s statement.
“We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia.”
The administration of US President Joe Biden, Ukraine’s most important supporter, had previously alleged that Iran and Russia were discussing the possibility of setting up a drone assembly line inside of Russia.
Bakhtar
