Washington, D.C. The White House said Thursday that the U. S. has evidence that Iranian troops are “directly engaged on the ground” in Crimea supporting Russian drone attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure and civilian population.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Iran has sent a “relatively small number” of personnel to Crimea, a part of Ukraine unilaterally annexed by Russia in contravention of international law in 2014, to assist Russian troops in launching Iranian-made drones against Ukraine.
According to the information we have, the Iranians have deployed trainers and technical assistance in Crimea, but the Russians are actually operating the aircraft, according to Kirby.
The U. S.
It was originally made public this summer that Russia was acquiring Iranian unmanned aircraft to use against Ukraine. Iran has denied providing Russia with its weapons.
At a delicate time, the Biden administration disclosed more information regarding Iran’s assistance to Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
The government’s ruthless crackdown on antigovernment protests in recent weeks, which was sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who passed away while being held by Iranian security forces, has led the US to impose further sanctions against Iran.
Amini was detained by moral police last month for failing to properly cover her hair with the hijab, an Islamic head covering that is required for Iranian women. Amini passed just three days after collapsing at a police station.
As the administration works to bring Iran back into compliance with the nuclear deal that was mediated by the Obama administration and abandoned by the Trump administration, her death and the ensuing turmoil have coincided.
The administration, however, has limited chance of quickly restarting the Iran nuclear deal, according to Kirby.
At this time, Kirby said, “diplomacy is not our first concern.
Making sure that we are holding the dictatorship responsible for how they are treating peaceful protestors in their country and supporting those protesters is what we are concentrating on.
US: Iranian forces supporting Russian drone strikes in Crimea
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