Iran FM calls for Joint investigation with Kiev on drones claims

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Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Monday that the Islamic Republic did not provide Russia with any arms to be used in the war in Ukraine nor does it plan to.

"We have a lot of cooperation with Russia, including in the field of defense. In the past, we have taken and given weapons from and to Russia, but not during the war in Ukraine," said the Foreign Minister during a meeting with directors of foreign media outlets in Tehran, who came to participate in the 18th Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies General Assembly, adding that, "We have not and nor will we give Russia any weapons or drones to use in the war with Ukraine."

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According to the top Iranian diplomat, he announced during an earlier phone call with EU's Chief of Foreign Policy Josep Borrell Iran's readiness to establish a joint team between Iranian and Ukrainian military experts to search and investigate the allegations of the use of Iranian drones in the war in Ukraine.

Amir-Abdollahian disclosed that the US communicated with Iran through diplomatic channels to try and maintain the possibility of reaching an agreement with Tehran, however adding that "Of course, in some points of time, they (Americans) sought to create chaos and terror in Iran."

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"Jaish al-Adl terror group carried out terrorist activities in Zahedan for a few hours, which were carried out with the financial support of a certain country and several foreign security agencies, and there was no mention of the demised girl," Mahsa Amini, as the FM pointed out that the foreign interference in Iran's internal affairs has gone too far.

Abdollahian emphasized that Iran is ready to "reach a good and durable agreement and efforts are underway in this regard" expressing that Tehran wants Americans to "stop being hypocritical."

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After US President Joe Biden asserted his position earlier this month on imposing "further costs" in response to the death of Mahsa Amini, Iran called the US out for "hypocrisy" on human rights as well.

Iran has previously and repeatedly stated that it does not take a side in the war by emphasizing that it is not an exporter or shipper of weapons to either Russia or Ukraine.

Iran's Foreign Minister spokesperson earlier stated that "the relationship with the two countries (Russia and Ukraine) is friendly and our amicable relationship with Ukraine, which has been decreased due to the creation of the atmosphere of other parties, remains in place."