The US State Department said on Thursday that Russian officials have been training in Iran in recent weeks as part of a drone transfer agreement between the two countries.

Last month, U.S. officials said Washington had information that Iran was preparing to supply Russia with several hundred drones, including those capable of carrying weapons, and that Russian officials had visited Iran to see the unmanned aerial vehicles on board capable of attacking .

The announcement raised concerns that Iran, which has supplied drones to its allies in the Middle East, is now supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine.

At that time, Iran’s foreign minister denied this statement, including during a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart.

US State Department deputy spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters during a conference call Thursday that Russian officials had been conducting drone training in Iran “for the past several weeks.”

He said the United States would “resolutely enforce” its sanctions against the Russian and Iranian arms trade.

According to Patel, the transfer of drones between the two countries is “potentially punishable in many jurisdictions.”

“We remain extremely concerned about Iran’s use and proliferation of drones. They have been used to attack US forces, our partners in the region and international shipping organizations,” Patel said.

Read also:

• PHOTO Evidence provided by the Americans that Russia is going to buy military drones from Iran

—-

• Follow the latest events of the 169th day of the war in Ukraine LIVETEXT on HOTNEWS.RO.