Exclusive | USA: The Islamic Republic Must Be Held Accountable for Supplying Drones to Russia

The United States emphasized the need to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable regarding its military support for Russia in the war against Ukraine, following NATO's expression of concern. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated on Wednesday, July 21, in response to the Persian section of Voice of America, that the United States, along with its allies and partners, continues to work with NATO to hold Iran accountable. This official noted that U.S. sanctions against the transfer of Iranian military weapons used by Russia in the Ukraine war would continue. NATO member countries, on Tuesday, July 20, issued a statement urging the Islamic Republic to cease its military support for Russia, including the delivery of drones. According to the U.S. State Department spokesperson, Washington has already imposed multiple sanctions against Russia, Iran, and third countries involved in the transfer of Iranian weapons. He referred to restrictive sanctions imposed two months ago against part of the network transporting Iranian weapons to Russia. This U.S. official also emphasized that the country previously coordinated with Britain and the European Union to impose new restrictions to prevent the use of electronic components in the production of Iranian drones. According to this American official, last month, Washington announced the formation of a new advisory unit within the U.S. government to help better inform economic actors and other governments about the risks associated with Iran's drone program and Tehran's illegal actions to acquire necessary components for drone manufacturing. The spokesperson stressed that this newly established unit would assist governments and businesses in taking necessary actions to prevent any inadvertent support for Iran's drone program. Kyiv had previously stated that some components of Iranian 'Shahed' drones were produced in countries allied with Ukraine. According to the American publication 'The Wall Street Journal,' information obtained from the examination of downed Iranian drones in Ukraine indicates that most of the components of these drones were produced by companies in the U.S. and Europe. The NATO member countries' statement specified that Russia, using Iranian drones, targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure, resulting in a significant number of civilian casualties in the country. Both Iran and Russia deny the allegations of using Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that the Iranian attack drones used by Russia in the war against the country have caused significant casualties and damage, and the Ukrainian army has reported that it has shot down many of these drones. The U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations stated that the transfer of drones to Russia by Iran is a blatant violation of Resolution 2231. The final statement from the NATO summit of 31 member countries called for Iran to cease its delivery of drones to Russia. Concurrently with the NATO summit, Russia attacked Ukraine for the second consecutive night. Ukraine reported that Iranian-made attack drones were tracked and destroyed over Kyiv. Investigations are underway regarding claims of British scientists' involvement in Iran's drone programs.