The US government warns of increasing Iranian support for the Russian military and is therefore announcing new sanctions. "We are imposing costs on the actors involved in the transfer of Iranian drones to Russia for use in Ukraine," National Security Council communications director John Kirby said on Friday. The sanctions affected three Russian-based institutions "that were at the forefront of acquiring and using Iranian drones." This also applies to the Russian Aerospace Forces.
In the middle of the week, the German press agency, citing UN diplomatic circles, reported that Moscow had again ordered hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles in Tehran to secure its military supplies. Russia invaded the neighboring country on February 24.
According to consistent reports, Iran had already sent drones to Russia in August, which can be used, for example, to attack military objects such as radar systems and artillery. Kirby now warned that Iranian support for the Russian military will only increase in the coming months. It is a "comprehensive defense partnership". There are reports that Moscow and Tehran are considering setting up a "joint production line for lethal drones in Russia," Kirby said.
USA have no problem with German main battle tanks for Ukraine
The US has no problem with supplying German Leopard 2 main battle tanks or German Patriot anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine. "Our position is the same in both cases: It is Germany's decision what Germany does," US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told journalists on Friday during her visit to Germany in Berlin.
Ukraine has been demanding the delivery of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from the federal government for months. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has repeatedly emphasized that Germany will not go it alone when it comes to supporting Ukraine with Western-style battle tanks. So far, no NATO country has delivered such tanks. Ukraine also wants US-type Patriot air defense systems, which Germany has so far only been willing to provide to NATO partner Poland to protect the border area with Ukraine.
USA: Sanctions for corruption and human rights
The US has imposed sanctions on more than 40 people and organizations in nine countries for human rights violations or corruption. Among them are three Iranians: two local police chiefs and a prison warden. According to the US Treasury Department on Friday, they are responsible for the killing, torture or rape of system-critical demonstrators or are accused of such acts.
In addition, sanctions were imposed on individuals and organizations in connection with human rights violations by Russia. Among them are officials who are said to have helped illegally annex Ukrainian regions and an electoral commission that conducted illegitimate referendums in the areas.
