Russia is sending a shipment of drones to Iran, including upgraded versions of the Shahed drone technology originally supplied by Tehran to Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine, according to U.S. and European officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The drones come as Iran has been firing barrages at Israel, Gulf neighbors, and U.S. bases across the Middle East for over a month. Russia has improved the Shahed design during the Ukraine war, adding better navigation capabilities. A European intelligence official said Russian and Iranian officials have had “very active” discussions this month about the transfer, though it is unclear if this is a one-time delivery or part of a series.
A U.S. defense official noted that Moscow’s motivation is unclear, as every drone sent to Tehran is one not used against Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters Friday in Paris that “there is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operation.” The White House and Pentagon did not comment.
European officials said intelligence suggests a shipment is en route, possibly via trucks carrying humanitarian aid from Russia through Azerbaijan. The Russian Embassy in Baku reported seven trucks with 150 tons of food crossed to Iran on Friday, while Russia’s Emergency Ministry said 313 tons of medicine were delivered by rail. A second European official said if drones are transported by truck, numbers are likely small and could be a symbolic gesture to maintain relations.
The UK’s latest defence intelligence assessment says Russia almost certainly provided training and intelligence on drones and electronic warfare to Iran ahead of the Middle East conflict. Iran is also sharing information with Russia “quite generously,” the European intelligence official said. However, relations have been rocky, with Iranian officials “deeply disappointed” after Russia did not help Iran during its 2025 conflict with Israel.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed reports of drone supplies as “false news stories.” Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal for Shahed drone technology after Putin’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with a production line later opened in Tatarstan. Russian specialists have adapted the drones with decoys, jet engines, cameras, anti-jammers, and other enhancements.
