Western accusations that Russia is using Iranian drones in Ukraine will prove the “effectiveness” of the devices, a senior Iranian military official said Sunday, quoted by AFP, Agerpres reported.

“The atmosphere created by the world of arrogance (meaning the US and its allies) regarding the use of Iranian drones in the war in Ukraine is part of the enemy’s psychological warfare,” said the Chief of the General Staff, Major General. Mohammad Bagheri, quoted by Tasnim press news agency.

“While many of the allegations may not be true, they actually demonstrate the efficiency and sophistication of the Islamic Republic in the field of drones,” he added.

Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones to carry out attacks on Ukraine, causing significant damage to civilian and energy infrastructure.

In response, Western countries imposed sanctions against several Iranian companies and generals, including General Bagheri.

Tehran has repeatedly denied supplying weapons for use in the war in Ukraine, but admitted in early November that it had sent drones to Russia before its invasion of Ukraine began in late February.

Iran began producing drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the 1980s during the eight-year war with Iraq.

The United States and Israel, declared enemies of the Islamic Republic, accuse Tehran of sending a fleet of drones to its allies in the Middle East, especially Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran will continue to develop drones: “The country’s armed forces will continue to increase and develop drones, we will cooperate with other countries in the field of drones,” General Bagheri said, according to Tasnim.

“Our drone systems rank high in the world in terms of accuracy, durability, continuity, performance and multi-mission performance,” he added.

What Russia will send in exchange for Iranian drones

Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations, Barbara Woodward, said this month that Russia was seeking more weapons from Iran, including hundreds of ballistic missiles, in return for providing Tehran with an unprecedented level of military and technical support.

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace said on December 20, for his part, that Russia intends to provide Iran with advanced military components in exchange for hundreds of drones.

“Iran has become one of Russia’s most important military sponsors,” Wallace said in a statement to parliament on the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.

“In exchange for providing more than 300 kamikaze drones, Russia now plans to provide advanced military components to Iran, undermining both the Middle East and international security,” the British defense secretary said.