The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the US intelligence assessment, did not detail the “multiple failures”. They added that the US believes the delivery of the Mohajer-6 and Shahed series unmanned aerial vehicles over several days this month is likely part of a Russian plan to acquire hundreds of Iranian UAVs. The Associated Press reported last week that Russia recently acquired hundreds of Iranian drones that can be used in its war against Ukraine despite US warnings to Tehran not to send them. The Washington Post first reported that Russia experienced technical problems with Iranian drones. Russian operators continue to train in Iran on how to use these systems, which can conduct air-to-ground attacks, electronic warfare and targeting, on the battlefield in Ukraine, the officials said. The Biden administration last month released satellite images showing Russian officials visited Kashan Airport on June 8 and July 5 to view Iranian drones. At the time, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan claimed that the administration has “information that the Iranian government is preparing to provide Russia with several hundred UAVs.” Facing economic sanctions and restrictions on its supply chains due to its invasion of Ukraine, Russia is turning to Iran as a key partner and arms supplier. The Russian aircraft was loaded with the UAV equipment at an airport in Iran for several days this month before the weapons were transferred to Russia, the officials said. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier Monday that the administration had “no information” on whether the drones had been surrendered. He added that the U.S. “hasn’t seen anything that gives us a sense of comfort” and that “the supply and delivery is still looming, it’s still in the foreground.” Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein-Amir Abdollahian said last month that Tehran has “various types of cooperation with Russia, including in the defense sector.” “But we will not help any of the sides involved in this war because we believe (the war) must stop,” he said. Administration officials have confirmed details of Iran supplying Russia with drones as the White House also tries to pressure Tehran to resume compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal. The administration last week completed a review of Iran’s comments on a European proposal to restart the deal brokered during President Barack Obama’s administration and scrapped by then-President Donald Trump in 2018.
