Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has not confirmed the sale of military equipment, including drones, to Russia, assuring that Tehran avoids any steps that could lead to further escalation in Ukraine. The Iranian minister, who is finishing up his visit to Rome, said this in an interview published on Wednesday in La Repubblica newspaper.
"We have different forms of cooperation with Russia, including in defense, but we are not helping any of the parties involved in the conflict [in Ukraine] because we are convinced that it must end. I think the problem now is different: some Western countries, including the U.S., are producing weapons and trying to sell their products. We, on the other hand, are trying to avoid any action that could lead to escalation. We are working to stop this war," the secretary said, commenting on claims by US Assistant to the President for National Security Jake Sullivan that Iran plans to transfer unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia.
On Monday, Sullivan suggested that Iran was planning to transfer up to several hundred unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia, including those capable of carrying weapons. In addition, he said, Iran plans to train Russian forces in the use of these drones, and the first stages of the training are expected to begin as early as early July. Sullivan did not provide any confirmation of his version.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS