Fact Check: Iran provides Moscow with missiles and drones for Ukraine war.

Fact Check: "Iran provides Moscow with missiles and drones for Ukraine war."

What We Know

The claim that Iran supplies Moscow with missiles and drones for the war in Ukraine has been substantiated by multiple sources. Reports indicate that Russia has been actively seeking to resupply its military with Iranian drones and surface-to-surface missiles. A recent article from the Associated Press states that U.S. officials have expressed concern over Russia's efforts to acquire additional advanced conventional weapons from Iran, including missiles. Furthermore, a U.N. diplomat mentioned that Iran has plans to sell hundreds of missiles and drones to Russia, which would violate the 2015 Security Council resolution that endorsed the nuclear deal with Iran (source-1).

Additionally, Ukraine's foreign ministry reported that Russia has launched approximately 8,060 Iranian-developed drones since the beginning of its full-scale invasion (source-2). This indicates a significant reliance on Iranian drone technology in the conflict. The White House has also confirmed that Iran has provided Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant, further solidifying the military cooperation between the two nations (source-4).

Analysis

While the claim that Iran provides missiles and drones to Russia is largely supported by evidence, there are nuances to consider. The U.S. National Security Council has indicated that, although Iran has supplied drones, the transfer of missiles has not yet occurred. White House spokesman John Kirby noted that while there is ongoing provision of Iranian drones, there is no confirmed evidence of Iranian missiles being transferred to Russia at this time (source-1). This suggests that while the cooperation is significant, it may not yet encompass all types of weaponry mentioned in the claim.

Moreover, reports indicate that Iran has assisted Russia in building drone factories, which implies a long-term partnership rather than just a transactional relationship (source-3). This complicates the narrative, as it suggests that Iran's involvement goes beyond mere supply to include manufacturing capabilities.

However, the reliability of sources must also be considered. The Associated Press and Reuters are reputable news organizations, while the U.N. diplomat's comments, although credible, were made under conditions of anonymity, which can sometimes introduce uncertainty regarding the context and accuracy of the information provided.

Conclusion

The claim that Iran provides Moscow with missiles and drones for the Ukraine war is Partially True. Evidence supports the assertion that Iran has supplied drones and is planning to sell missiles to Russia. However, as of now, there is no confirmed transfer of missiles, and the situation is still evolving. The cooperation between the two nations appears to be significant, but it is not yet comprehensive in terms of all weaponry types mentioned in the claim.