Iran has provided Russia with loitering munitions for use in the latter's invasion of Ukraine, chiefly the Shahed 131 and Shahed 136. Several countries have accused Iran of violating the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231.

Background

Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi speaking to the Russian Duma on 20 January 2022

The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 enacted an arms embargo on Iran in 2015. The embargo on conventional Iranian arms ended in October 2020, but the restrictions on Iran regarding missiles and related technologies are in place until October 2023.[1]

On January 20, 2022, Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran gave a speech to the Russian Duma. In the speech, he condemned NATO, accusing it of "infiltrating various geographical areas with new coverings that threaten the common interests of independent states." and emphasized the relations between Iran and Russia.[2]

Drone deliveries

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. By 12 April, Russia's attempt to take Kyiv had failed. On that date, The Guardian reported that Iran was smuggling weapons from Iraq to Russia.[3] On 11 July, and again on 17 July, with Russian drone supplies running low, US officials said that Iran was planning to provide Russia with drones.[4][5] By 17 October, with Russia losing ground to Ukrainian counteroffensives in the East and in the South, Russia had obtained Iranian suicide drones, which it used to attack civilian infrastructure.[6] By 18 October, Iranian military officials were in Crimea helping Russia to operate Iranian drones.[7]

Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Raisi in Tehran, 19 July 2022

On 16 October, The Washington Post reported that Iran was planning to supply Russia with both drones and missiles.[8] On 21 November, the Ukrainian defense ministry said that according to reports in the Israeli press, Israel might respond by transferring short-range and medium-range missiles to Ukraine.[9]

On 18 October the U.S. State Department accused Iran of violating United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231 by selling Shahed 131 and Shahed 136 drones to Russia,[10][11] agreeing with similar assessments by France and the United Kingdom. Iran's ambassador to the UN responded by writing to the UNSC on 19 October and 24 October stating that this was an erroneous interpretation of paragraph 4 of annex B of the resolution, which clearly states it applies to items that "could contribute to the development of nuclear weapon delivery systems", which these drones could not.[12][13] Iran denied sending arms for use in the Ukraine war.[14][15] On 22 October France, Britain and Germany formally called for an investigation by the UN team responsible for UNSCR 2231.[16]

Kyiv after Russian attack with Iranian drones on 17 October 2022

On 1 November, CNN reported that Iran was preparing to send ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.[17]

On 21 November, CNN reported that an intelligence assessment had concluded that Iran planned to help Russia begin production of Iran-designed drones in Russia. The country making the intelligence assessment was not named.[18]

Drone attacks

Russia used Iranian drones in an attack on Kyiv on 28 May 2023. Ukraine said it shot down all but one of the drones, but one person was killed.[19] Another strike on 20 June used 35 Shahed drones, 32 of which were shot down by Ukraine.[20]

Ukrainian response

On 3 November 2022, Ukraine warned Iran to expect an "absolutely ruthless" response if it were to continue supplying weapons to Russia.[21] On 24 November, Ukraine announced that Iranian military advisers had been killed in Crimea. It said that Iranians in occupied territory would continue to be targeted.[22]

On 24 May 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the people of Iran to oppose the Iran government, asking them not to be complicit with being on the same side "with such an evil as Russian aggression."[23]

Iranian forces in Ukraine

On 21 October 2022, a White House press release stated that Iranian troops were in Crimea assisting Russia in launching drone attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure.[24] On 24 November, Ukrainian officials said the military had killed ten Iranians and would target any further Iranian military presence in Ukraine.[25] The Institute for the Study of War assessed that these are likely Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC-affiliated personnel, as this formation is the primary operator of Iranian drones.[26]

Impact on Iran–United States relations

Iran's support for Russia, combined with Iranian suppression of the Mahsa Amini protests, and moves towards increased uranium enrichment, has led to a more confrontational relationship between the United States and Iran. As of 24 November 2022, the United States was not looking to revive any nuclear deal with Iran and had recently imposed additional sanctions on Iran.[27]

On 9 January 2023, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Iran's sale of drones to Russia might be "contributing to widespread war crimes" in Ukraine.[28] Sullivan said that the US would look into holding Iran's leadership to account.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lederer, Edith M. (19 October 2022). "Ukraine accuses Iran of violating UN ban on transferring drones". PBS. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Mehdi, Syed Zafar (20 January 2022). "US in its 'weakest position,' Raisi tells Russia's State Duma". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Russia using weapons 'smuggled by Iran' in Ukraine | First Thing". the Guardian. 2022-04-12. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  4. ↑ "White House: Iran set to deliver armed drones to Russia". AP NEWS. 2022-07-11. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  5. ↑ Schmitt, Eric; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas; Ismay, John (2022-07-17). "As Russia Runs Low on Drones, Iran Plans to Step In, U.S. Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  6. ↑ Kottasová, Ivana (2022-10-17). "'Kamikaze' drones are the latest threat for Ukraine. Here's what we know". CNN. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  7. ↑ Barnes, Julian E. (2022-10-18). "Iran Sends Drone Trainers to Crimea to Aid Russian Military". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  8. ↑ Warrick, Joby; Nakashima, Ellen; Harris, Shane (2022-10-16). "Iran plans to send missiles, drones to Russia for Ukraine war, officials say". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  9. ↑ "Israel may transfer high-precision ballistic missiles to Ukraine if the Russian Federation receives Iranian ones - mass media". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  10. ↑ "Ukraine war: US says Iranian drones breach sanctions". BBC News. 18 October 2022.
  11. ↑ "Russians began to use Shahed-131 kamikaze drones".
  12. ↑ Iravani, Amir Saeid (19 October 2022). "Letter dated 19 October 2022 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. S/2022/776. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  13. ↑ Iravani, Amir Saeid (24 October 2022). "Letter dated 24 October 2022 from the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. S/2022/794. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  14. ↑ Kennedy, Niamh; Mahmoodi, Negar; Kottasová, Ivana; Raine, Andrew (2022-10-16). "Iran denies supplying Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine". CNN. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  15. ↑ "Iranian foreign ministry spokesman reacts to some claims about shipment of arms including military drones by Iran to Ukraine". en.mfa.ir. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  16. ↑ "European countries urge UN probe of Iran drones in Ukraine". France 24. AFP. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  17. ↑ Atwood, Kylie (2022-11-01). "Iran is preparing to send additional weapons including ballistic missiles to Russia to use in Ukraine, western officials say | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  18. ↑ Atwood, Kylie (2022-11-21). "Russia to build attack drones for Ukraine war with the help of Iran, intelligence assessment says". CNN. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  19. ↑ "Russia launched dozens of Iranian-made drones at Ukraine overnight. Kyiv claims it knocked down all but one". CNN. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  20. ↑ Bailey, Riley; Hird, Karolina; Wolkov, Nicole; Evans, Angelica; Clark, Mason (20 June 2023). "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JUNE 20, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  21. ↑ "November 2, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news". CNN. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  22. ↑ "Iranian advisers killed aiding Russians in Crimea, says Kyiv". the Guardian. 2022-11-24. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  23. ↑ "Zelensky addresses people of Iran: You should not side with evil". Ukrinform. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  24. ↑ Madhani, Aamer; Miller, Zeke (21 October 2022). "US: Iranian troops in Crimea backing Russian drone strikes". AP News. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  25. ↑ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, November 25". Institute for the Study of War. 2022-11-25. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  26. ↑ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, October 12". Institute for the Study of War. 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2022-11-26.
  27. ↑ Sanger, David E. (24 November 2022). "United States Enters a New Era of Direct Confrontation With Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  28. ↑ "U.S. says Iran may be 'contributing to widespread war crimes' in Ukraine". PBS. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.

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