Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia and Iran had concluded a military-technical cooperation agreement, adding that Moscow was supplying Iran with certain types of military products.
This statement comes a day after the European Union's (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs accused Russia of providing intelligence support to Iran in the Middle East war with the aim of "killing Americans," calling on the United States to increase pressure on Moscow.
“We do indeed maintain very close relations with Iran. We have concluded a military-technical cooperation agreement. We have supplied Iran with certain types of military products. But we cannot accept accusations that we are helping Iran with intelligence,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
European allies are increasingly concerned that Russia is preparing to deliver sophisticated drones to Iran for use in its conflict with the United States and Israel.
On Thursday, the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also called on the United States to increase pressure on Moscow . Speaking from Moscow, the Russian foreign minister responded that "everyone knows" the coordinates of US military bases in the region, that this was public information, and that he was not surprised that Iran had attacked them.
"When high-ranking officials in the US administration speak with bravado and a certain pride about the cold-blooded assassinations of a country's Supreme Leader and other members of the Iranian leadership, it is difficult to describe this as anything other than cynicism. That is why we advocate for safeguarding the interests of both Iran and all other countries in the region," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
The rapprochement between Russia and Iran began during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russians have notably used Iranian drones in Ukraine, and the two countries have cooperated to circumvent Western sanctions in order to sell oil abroad.
Following the US-Israeli attack on Iran several weeks ago, Russia began providing Iran with satellite and other intelligence regarding US bases and other potential targets in the region, according to US officials.
