Iran: CIA accusations of Iran role in Ukraine 'political and baseless'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Dec 2022 22:22
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Spokesperson of Iranian foreign ministry calls claims made by CIA Director as 'US psychological war'.

Spokesperson of Iranian foreign Ministry Nasser Kanaani (MFA.i)

Today, Iran slammed accusations made by the CIA chief that Tehran is collaborating with Moscow in the war in Ukraine. The spokesperson of Iran's foreign ministry described the allegations as a "US psychological campaign".

"American officials continue their baseless political claims and illegal actions against the Islamic Republic of Iran, questioning the conventional defense and military cooperation between Iran and Russia," Nasser Kanaani stated.

Earlier this week, CIA Director William Burns said that the US is concerned about the growing cooperation between Russia and Iran and fears that it could eventually evolve into a full defense partnership and claimed that this relationship is "already having an impact on the battlefield in Ukraine."

"The US psychological campaign, which is based on lies and deception, is carried out in line with various goals, including exercising political pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran, promoting Iranophobia, and covering up their warmongering," Kanaani added.

"As we have said many times, cooperation between Iran and Russia in various fields, including defense cooperation, is expanding in line with their mutual interests and in accordance with both countries' international rights and obligations and is not against any third country," he added.

The spokesperson also stated that Iran approaches its foreign relations based on national interests, noting that the Islamic Republic is in line with international laws and does not wait for permission from anyone regarding its relations with other countries.

It is noteworthy that Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani pointed out on Monday that Kiev failed to provide concrete evidence proving that Iran had supplied drones to Russia.

According to Ashtiani, Iran and Russia have a trade and military history that stretches back for decades, but they have never discussed supplying Iranian-made drones to be used in Russia's special operation in Ukraine.

Ever since the White House issued in July a statement that Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of drones, the West has repeatedly accused Iran of aiding Russia in its combat efforts, despite Moscow denying allegations that it received drones from Iran for combat-related use.

Iran has repeatedly stressed that it will not side in the war, denying all claims that it has provided Russia with weapons to be used in Ukraine.