European intelligence agencies believe Russia is in the final stages of preparing to supply drones to Iran for use in its conflict with the US and Israel, according to a senior European official. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Russia has already been sharing intelligence with Tehran to help target US forces in the region. The delivery of explosive-laden drones would mark the first evidence of lethal support since the war began.
The official declined to provide details on the scale of deliveries but corroborated a Financial Times report that western intelligence found Russia close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran. Discussions between Iranian and Russian officials reportedly began days after the US and Israel attacked Tehran in late February, with deliveries potentially completed by the middle of next week.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the claims as “fakes”, stating that Russia continues its dialogue with Iranian leadership. Russia and Iran signed a strategic partnership agreement last year, and Moscow has sent over 13 tonnes of medicine to Iran via Azerbaijan. Russia has been producing one-way attack drones based on Iranian Shahed designs for use in Ukraine.
European foreign ministers raised the issue at a G7 meeting in France with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accused Russia of helping Iran identify strike targets, saying President Putin hopes the Middle East escalation distracts from his war in Ukraine. British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper expressed deep concern over the links between Russia and Iran, including shared drone capabilities.
Moscow’s growing involvement could expand the open-ended war launched by the US and Israel, which has been criticised as illegal with ill-defined objectives. Tehran’s response to attacks has included firing thousands of cheap drones across the Gulf, hitting sites in multiple countries including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and the UAE.
