Iran may have used weapons with US components in war with US, Ukrainian official says
Photo: Russian and American components were found in Iranian drones (defence-ua.com)
Iranian drones used to attack US bases in the Middle East may contain American and Russian components, stated Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk during a meeting with journalists.
Russian antennas were found on debris in Cyprus
According to him, the first suspicions emerged after analyzing drones that arrived in Cyprus from Iran.
"Russian electronics were detected. This is what arrived in Cyprus from Iran. There were Kometa antennas," Vlasiuk said, adding that this is a confirmed fact.
After that, efforts began to gather information about the components of Iranian drones and missiles used in Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain.
American parts were also present
Vlasiuk stressed that he expects to find both Russian and American components in Iranian weapons.
"So far, there is less information than I had hoped. But I stay optimistic. I think we will see both Russian and American components there, and that will be particularly interesting," he noted.
The Commissioner explained why he is confident in this.
"In the so-called pure Iranian drones of various types that Russia used against Ukraine in 2022–2023, there were already American components. I don’t think this could have changed over the past two years. And as for Russian components, it is obvious they are also present in Iranian drones," Vlasiuk added.
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) recently revealed the internal components of a jet-powered Shahed drone — the turbojet version known as Geran-3.
Of the 45 identified components, half were of American origin, eight were Chinese, and seven were Swiss. Parts manufactured in the UK and Japan were also found.
As previously reported by RBC-Ukraine, intelligence identified more than 100 foreign components in Russian drones and missiles.
Among the samples were Geran-2 drones, the Korsar drone, and the Kh-69 cruise missile. Iran is far from the only supplier on this list.
