US: "Iran Sends Drone Training Instructors to Russia... Nuclear Deal Gap Widens"

"Iran, Directly Involved in War" Criticism
"Not Focusing on Diplomacy with Iran"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. government has publicly condemned Iran for providing drones to Russia and dispatching personnel such as instructors to support operations. It warned that the gap in restoring the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) has widened and that it will not focus solely on diplomacy with Iran.

On the 20th (local time), according to CNN, John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the White House National Security Council (NSC), stated during a virtual briefing regarding the use of Iranian drones by Russian forces, "Iranian personnel are supporting Russian operations using Iranian drones in the Crimean Peninsula," adding, "They are instructors and technical support personnel helping the Russian military master the equipment, while the Russian military pilots the drones."

He emphasized, "Russia has received about ten drones so far and is likely to receive more in the future," and "Considering Russia's shortage of military supplies, there are concerns that Russia might seek to acquire advanced conventional weapons such as surface-to-surface missiles from Iran."

Kirby also strongly criticized Iran's denial of providing drones. He said, "There is extensive evidence that Russia has used drones against both military and civilian targets in Ukraine," and "Iran and Russia may lie to the world, but they can never hide the truth."

He continued, "Now Iran is directly participating in the war by supplying weapons that harm civilians on the battlefield," warning, "We will continue to strictly enforce all U.S. sanctions related to arms transactions between Russia and Iran."

Regarding the restoration negotiations of the Iran nuclear deal, he said, "Frankly, we are not currently focused on the JCPOA. The gap with Iran regarding the restoration of the nuclear deal is too wide. Iran is making demands far beyond the scope of the JCPOA," emphasizing, "Again, we are currently not focusing on diplomacy with Iran."

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