Accusations by Western countries that Iran is exporting its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia are another misinformation, Russian First Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said on Wednesday.
"We have seen another round of disinformation campaign by Western delegations when they raised the issue of UAVs allegedly used by Russia in Ukraine at the council," he told reporters after holding closed Council consultations on the issue. - "The goal of Western colleagues is clear, they are trying to hit two targets at once, using a far-fetched pretext to put pressure on Russia and Iran."
Polyanskiy also noted that Western countries are simply trying to divert attention from their involvement in the conflict with such steps. "You have all seen reports of new arms shipments that have helped Kiev reach areas far behind the front lines and shell civilian objects, killing dozens of civilians," he stated.
According to him, the UN Security Council has not received any evidence of drone deliveries from Iran to Russia, the West is only trying to put pressure on Moscow and Tehran.
"The goal of our Western colleagues is obvious. They are trying to hit two targets at once. To create an artificial pretext to put pressure on Russia and Iran," Polyanskiy said. - " For Russia, they are trying to divert international attention from their de facto involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. You've all seen the reports of new arms shipments by the West."
"The West is trying to put pressure on Iran by making baseless accusations about violations of UN Security Council Resolution 2231. <...> No evidence has ever been presented to the UN Security Council. All this is absurd, <...> all these baseless accusations," the diplomat stressed.
Investigation
Polyanskiy added that Russia will reassess its relations with the UN secretariat and the secretary-general if they take part in the investigation into the allegations of drone deliveries from Iran to Russia.
He said the drone situation had nothing to do with Security Council Resolution 2231 on restrictive measures against Iran. "As for the role of the UN Secretariat, it has no mandate to investigate anything related to the implementation of UNSCR 2231," he continued.
"We hope that the secretariat and the secretary-general himself will not again violate UN Security Council decisions, will not go beyond their technical mandate, and will refrain from participating in any illegal investigations. Otherwise, we will have to reevaluate our cooperation with them, which is not in anybody's interest. We don't want to do that, but there's no other choice," Polyanskiy pointed out.
Asked what it means to reassess the relations with the UN Secretariat, Polyanskiy said that "it depends (on the details of the situation - TASS), but we hope that they will refrain from such an irresponsible step."
JCPOA issue
The diplomat noted that Western allegations about Iran allegedly providing drones to Russia will only complicate the negotiation process to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Iran's nuclear program.
"The US has so far shown no practical desire to return to the implementation [of the agreement]. Moreover, they continue to impose new illegitimate unilateral sanctions against Iran. I would like to point out that our Western partners want to cover up the Kiev regime in every possible way, shortsighted in their desire to blame Iran," Polyanskiy said. - "These are very inconsiderate and provocative steps on their part, which may further complicate the fragile negotiation process in the restoration of the JCPOA."
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma\TASS
Based on materials from TASS