Russian officials have visited Iran's central airfield at least twice in the past month to inspect combat drones. CNN writes about this with reference to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and exclusive satellite images.
According to the publication, in June and early July, Iran demonstrated Shahed-191 and Shahed-129 drones to Russia at the Kashan airfield south of Tehran. Both types of drones are capable of carrying precision-guided missiles.
“We have information that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with several hundred drones, including combat ones,” Sullivan told CNN.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian denied accusations of supplying drones to Russia. In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, he called them "groundless": "We oppose any action that could lead to the continuation and intensification of conflicts."
The fact that Iran is smuggling Russia with ammunition and military equipment from Iraq was reported in April by The Guardian. According to the publication, the deliveries include anti-tank missile systems, Brazilian-made multiple rocket launchers (Astros II) and rocket-propelled grenades. According to the interlocutor of the publication, Moscow was also "gifted" with the Iranian-made Bavar-373 missile system, similar to the Russian S-300. Iran also “returned” the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system to Russia.