Russia is providing 'unprecedented' military support to Iran in exchange for drones - NBC News

Russia is providing an "unprecedented level" of military and technical support to Iran as Tehran supplies weapons for the war in Ukraine, NBC News reported on Dec.9 citing senior Biden administration officials.

As part of the enhanced partnership, Russia may be providing Iran with advanced military equipment and components, including helicopters and air defense systems. In the spring, Iranian pilots trained in Russia to fly the Sukhoi Su-35, a Russian fighter jet, which the officials say indicates Iran “may begin receiving the aircraft within the next year.”

The White House had earlier said it believes that Iran was supplying drones to Russia for use in Ukraine, but the ties between the two countries are transforming into “a full-fledged defense partnership" with weapons and military expertise flowing in both directions, the officials said.

According to the officials, Moscow is looking to collaborate with Iran on weapons development, including possibly establishing a joint production line for drones in Russia. 

“This partnership poses a threat not just to Ukraine, but to Iran’s neighbors in the region,” one senior administration official said. “We have shared this information with partners in the Middle East and around the world,” NBC News reports.