Satellite images show a Russian delegation visiting Iran to view unmanned weapons-capable drones that could be purchased for use in the war in Ukraine, a senior U.S. official said Saturday.
The disclosure by the U.S. is intended to bolster the assertion by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan — made without details of the underlying intelligence — that Russia was seeking to purchase hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles to help its campaign in Ukraine.
The U.S. disclosure comes as President Joe Biden is meeting Saturday with gulf leaders in Saudi Arabia, asking them to strengthen regional cooperation to counter Iran and increase support for Ukraine.
The U.S. said earlier in the week that the potential purchase was a sign of the toll Ukrainian fighters had taken defending their country from Russia’s invasion.
The June visit to see the drone showcase is, to the knowledge of U.S. intelligence, the first time a Russian delegation had visited Kashan Airfield south of Tehran for such a showcase, the official said.
The satellite imagery was first reported by CNN.
Iranians demonstrated to the Russians the capabilities of their Shahed-191 and Shahed-129 drones, capable of carrying precision-guided missiles, officials told the network.
