Russia prepares to supply Iran with combat drones amid Middle East escalation

Discussions between Russian and Iranian officials regarding the drone transfer began in a closed format just days after the Israeli and U.S. strikes on Tehran, sources noted. The preparation process for the shipments started in early March and is likely to be completed by the end of the month.

Russia maintains close ties with Iran and has already provided assistance, including satellite imagery, targeting data, and intelligence, the publication noted. The drone transfer could become the first confirmation that Moscow is ready to provide Tehran with lethal military aid since the beginning of the war, they emphasized.

The Kremlin traditionally denies these reports. Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed that "a lot of false information" is now circulating, but confirmed that dialogue with the Iranian leadership is ongoing.

Russia is attempting not only to strengthen Iran's military capabilities but also to support the political stability of its regime, a senior Western official believes.

Iran needs technologically advanced models rather than just additional drones, Antonio Giustozzi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, noted. According to his data, negotiations on the transfer of these systems intensified immediately after the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

At the same time, the exact type of drones Russia might transfer remains unknown. It likely involves models like the Geran-2, based on the Iranian Shahed-136, FT wrote.

Israel recently struck a crucial military transport route between Russia and Iran in the Caspian Sea, the publication sources reminded.

Tehran may be seeking to acquire these drones for further reverse-engineering and improving its own systems, analysts suggested. Russian developments, particularly improvements in engines, navigation, and electronic warfare protection, could significantly enhance the effectiveness of Iranian attacks, they emphasized.

Furthermore, Iran has requested more advanced air defense systems from Russia, the publication added. The parties earlier agreed on the supply of Verba man-portable air defense systems and their missiles. However, Moscow refused to transfer S-400 systems, likely due to the risk of further escalating relations with the U.S. and the complexity of their maintenance, which would require the involvement of Russian military personnel.

Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence regarding the locations of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East, The Washington Post reported on March 6, citing sources.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later acknowledged the assistance from Russia. He stated that cooperation between Iran and Russia "is nothing new" but did not specify whether Russian intelligence is helping Iran locate U.S. military assets.

Russia has been providing Iran with tactical recommendations on using Shahed drones against the U.S. and its allies, UK Defense Secretary John Healey stated on March 12.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that, as of Ukrainian intelligence data, Russia transferred Shahed-type drones to Iran, which Tehran then used against American bases and its neighbors in the Middle East.