Iran began displaying Shahid-191 and Shahid-129 aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, to Russia at Kashan Airport, south of Tehran, in June, US officials told CNN. Both types of drones are capable of carrying precision-guided missiles.
“We have information that the Iranian government is preparing to supply Russia with several hundred drones, including weapons-capable drones,” Sullivan told CNN in a statement.
Sullivan added: “We appreciate that an official Russian delegation recently received a presentation of Iranian drones capable of attack.” “We are releasing these photos taken in June showing Iranian drones seen by the Russian government delegation that day. This indicates continued Russian interest in having Iranian attack drones.”
As far as the United States is aware, Sullivan said, the June visit “was the first time a Russian delegation had visited this airport for such a show.” The officials said a Russian delegation visited the airport for a similar show again on July 5.
The United States now believes that Russia has apparently turned to Iran to help replenish its stockpiles of drones. However, it is unclear how advanced or effective those drones are.