Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian websites: Initial reports of a tough security incident the occupation army is facing in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Israeli media: The Israeli army detected a missile launch from Yemen
Al Mayadeen's correspondent from Revolution Square in Tehran: Processions from Bahrain, Iraq, and other Arab nations are in attendance
Iranians gather at Tehran’s Revolution Square for the funeral of martyrs of Israeli aggression
Maduro: I call on the Jews to stop the war madness practiced by the Zionist regime led by Netanyahu
Maduro: Every day, 100 people are killed in Palestine, and the West is watching and is complicit
Iran's representative to the United Nations, in a letter to Guterres and the Security Council: The threat of America and the Zionist entity to assassinate the Supreme Leader is state terrorism.
Washington to the Security Council: The goal was to destroy Iran's uranium enrichment capacity and prevent the threat of Tehran obtaining and using a nuclear weapon
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.

White House: Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of drones

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Jul 2022 14:10
  • 2 Shares
5 Min Read

This statement comes as US President Joe Biden will be visiting "Israel" on Wednesday of this week.

  • x
  • Allegations of Iran planning to supply combat drones to Russia
    Allegations of Iran planning to supply combat drones to Russia

White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said that information sourced from a US top official suggests that Iran is planning to supply Russia with hundreds of combat drones for use in the war with Ukraine.

Sullivan told reporters that "the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with up to several hundred UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), including weapons-capable UAVs, on an expedited timeline," adding that this provision will be done on an ‘expedited timeline’ due to alleged "significant losses in Ukraine".

Sullivan said it was unclear whether Iran had already expedited any of the weapons to Russia, but the US has “information” that indicates Iran is preparing to initiate training for Russian forces to use the combat drones as early as this month.

This statement comes as US President Joe Biden will be visiting "Israel" on Wednesday of this week, before heading to Saudi Arabia on Friday "to strengthen a strategic partnership going forward that’s based on mutual interests and responsibilities, while also holding true to fundamental American values," Biden said in an op-ed published in NYT. 

Read more: Iran warns of "Middle Eastern NATO", vows to defend regional interests

Iran's advances in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)

Iran produces different kinds of UAVs, and in recent years, the Iranian armed forces, especially the air force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, have made considerable investments in the production of drones, making major improvements in this field.

Last May, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, visited one of the Iranian army's hidden bases for drone production. Following his visit, Bagheri was briefed on "the latest Iranian achievements in the field of manufacturing types of long-range attack military drones for the Iranian army."

Related News

At NATO summit, Trump signals Iran nuclear deal, discusses Ukraine

Rutte causes stir calling Trump 'Daddy' at NATO summit

Bagheri said that the base of the military parades is but a small glimpse of Iran's true military capabilities, adding that drones have become the most important indicator of a unit's combat effectiveness in new wars and that Iran will continue its work in advancing in its industry respectively to needs.

The most notable Iranian drones located at this base are the “Ababeel 5” equipped with “Qaem 9” missiles which are similar to American-made “Hellfire” drones, and the “Kaman 22” aircraft of Iran's Air Force which is capable of flying for a distance of 2,000 km and carries cruise missiles known as "Haidar" with a range of 200 km, and the "Futros" drone capable of carrying "Cruise" missiles and vertical bombs.

Iran is also in possession of the Shahid 149 aircraft, one of the most potent long-range drones that can take off and land, unlike other Iranian UAVs that have been programmed to fly and hit a specific target - such as the "Cruise" missile.

It is also in possession of the "Arch" suicide drone, which has a length of 4 and a half meters, which is an upgraded model of the "Kian 2" and is used for both defense and combat purposes.

The Wall Street Journal published a report on Iran's development and use of drones, describing this capability as rapidly increasing and causing a change in the balance of power in the Middle East, rivaling the US and its allies in the region.

The report quoted US, European and Israeli defense officials saying that the growing capabilities of Iran are changing the security equation in a region on the verge of war. 

According to the newspaper, "The Iran threat is more complex, consisting of larger drones. Iran has been building them for years, going back to the 1980s when it first developed its Ababil and Mohajer programs. The Islamic Republic also has advanced drones dubbed part of its Shahid line, including the Shahid 171, which is a copy of America’s secretive RQ-170, and the Shahid 129, which is a copy of the Predator."

Why is Russia requesting UAVs from Iran?

US newspaper The Washington Post reported yesterday that Russia requested the purchase of UAVs from Iran in order to compensate for losses in Ukraine.

While Russia has a vast arsenal of drones, the purchase of Iranian UAVs could benefit Moscow by replenishing its most vital weapons system which suffered heavy losses during the conflict.

It pointed out that drones play an important role in targeting enemy forces with artillery, as armed drones can fly over the battlefield for hours, and launch missiles that can destroy tanks and other armored vehicles. 

  • Nato
  • Iran
  • Russia
  • US
  • Ukraine crisis

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS