Posted July 11, 2022 at 4:59 pm
				Updated July 11, 2022 7:07 pm 				
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-ONE Larger font Increase the font size of the article A+ The White House said Monday it believes Russia is reaching out to Iran to provide it with “hundreds” of unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones, for use in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said it was unclear whether Iran had already provided any of the unmanned systems to Russia, but said the US had “intelligence” indicating Iran was preparing to train Russian forces to use them. use as soon as this month. “Our information indicates that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with up to several hundred UAVs, including weapon-capable UAVs on an accelerated schedule,” he told reporters on Monday.

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Sullivan said it was proof that Russia’s crushing bombing of Ukraine, which has seen it consolidate gains in the east of the country in recent weeks, “has come at a cost to maintaining its own weapons.” Trending Stories

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Story continues below ad Sullivan’s revelation comes on the eve of President Joe Biden’s trip to Israel and Saudi Arabia, where Iran’s nuclear program and malign activities in the region will be a key topic of discussion. The US decision to publicly reveal that the two countries’ main regional rival was helping Russia rearm comes as both Israel and Saudi Arabia resist global efforts to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine because of their domestic interests. Sullivan also noted that Iran provided similar unmanned aerial vehicles to Yemen’s Houthi rebels to attack Saudi Arabia before a ceasefire was reached earlier this year. 2:36 At least 15 dead after Russian rocket attack on apartment in Ukraine: officials At least 15 dead after Russian rocket attack on apartment in Ukraine: officials © 2022 The Canadian Press