US sanctions 3 Russian firms allegedly involved in Iran drone deal

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US sanctioned three Russian entities Friday allegedly involved in the Kremlin's purchase of Iranian military drones used to bolster Moscow's war efforts against Ukraine.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia has been using Iran's drones to carry out widespread attacks in Ukraine "including in large-scale attacks on civilian infrastructure."

The State Department designated the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), the 924th State Center for Unmanned Aviation and the Command of the Military Transport Aviation (VTA) "for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation’s economy."

VKS "was the intended beneficiary of the Russia-Iran agreement on transferring UAVs," said Blinken, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. The center sent personnel to Iran for training on Tehran's drone systems and the VTA was involved in the actual transfer, the top diplomat alleged.

"Russia’s acquisition and Iran’s provision of these certain UAVs are in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and further fuels the conflict in Ukraine," said Blinken. "The United States will continue to use every tool at our disposal to disrupt these transfers and impose consequences on those engaged in this activity."

The sanctions come hours after the White House warned that Russia is providing Iran with an "unprecedented" level of military assistance in exchange for Tehran's deadly armed drones as the two nations reach new levels of cooperation.

The new relationship has included Russia training Iranian pilots on its SU-35 fighter jets since the spring, which "indicates that Iran may begin receiving aircraft within the next year," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

"These fighter planes would significantly strengthen Iran's Air Force relative to its regional neighbors," said Kirby.

Russia also plans to provide the Islamic Republic "with advanced military components," said Kirby, adding that the Kremlin may already be supplying Iran with helicopters and air defense systems.

The flow of military equipment is not one-way, however, with Iran supplying Russia with drones that Moscow has used to bolster its offensive against Ukraine. Several hundred have already been provided as Iran considers selling Moscow hundreds of ballistic missiles, said Kirby.

"We have also seen reports that Moscow and Tehran are considering the establishment of a joint production line for lethal drones in Russia," he said. "We urge Iran to reverse course, not to take these steps."