Iran FM denies sending drones to Russia "to be used in Ukraine"

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has rejected reports that Iran has sent combat drones to Russia to be used against Ukraine.

"Despite the military assistance of some countries to Ukraine, we have not and will not send any weapons to Russia to use in the war against Ukraine," Amir-Abdollahian said during a telephone conversation with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto on October 6, according to the Iranian foreign ministry's website.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran "believes that the solution to this crisis is political and any supply of weapons from the parties will delay the opportunity for peace".

In another phone call with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney, Amir-Abdollahian "strongly denied rumours related to the sale of drones and weapons to be used in the war in Ukraine".

Russia has extensively used Iranian-made drones in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian sources, Russia had used 86 Iranian drones against it, of which 60% had been destroyed in the air.