Exclusive: Russians visited Iran at least twice last month to check out weapons-capable drones

Iran began displaying Shahid-191 and Shahid-129 aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, to Russia at Kashan Airport, south of Tehran, in June, US officials told CNN. Both types of drones are capable of carrying precision-guided missiles.

“We have information that the Iranian government is preparing to supply Russia with several hundred drones, including drones with weapons capability,” Sullivan told CNN in a statement.

Sullivan added: “We appreciate that an official Russian delegation recently received a presentation of Iranian drones capable of attack.” “We are releasing these photos taken in June showing Iranian drones seen by the Russian government delegation that day. This indicates continued Russian interest in having Iranian attack drones.”

As far as the United States is aware, Sullivan said, the June visit “was the first time a Russian delegation had visited this airport for such a show.” The officials said a Russian delegation visited the airport for a similar show again on July 5.

The news comes as with Biden Concluding his trip to the Middle East, Iran has been a major point of discussion between the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states. A US official told CNN that the growing partnership between Iran and Russia exemplifies why the United States needs to maintain its presence and influence in the Middle East.
Biden is staying under increasing pressure From Middle Eastern allies to come up with a viable plan to constrain Iran, hopes of reviving the 2015 nuclear deal faded after faltering Talks in Doha, Qatar, Last month.
White House officials revealed earlier this week that recently declassified US intelligence indicated that Iran is expected to supply Russia. With “hundreds” of drones To be used in the war in Ukraine, with Iran preparing for it Begin training of Russian forces About how they run as early as late July.

The United States now believes that Russia has apparently turned to Iran to help replenish its stockpiles of drones. However, it is unclear how advanced or effective those drones are.

Russia had previously turned to China for assistance in support Its war in Ukraine, US officials revealed in March. As of late May, the United States saw no evidence that China provided any military or economic support to Russia for the invasion, Sullivan told reporters at the time.

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