Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to capture a US unmanned vessel, but a US Navy patrol ship and helicopter stopped them
Business InsiderDec 05, 2022
US Sanctions Firms Over Alleged Iranian Drones in Ukraine
Image copyright: Iranian Army/AP [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
On Thurs., the US Dept. of the Treasury announced sanctions against several Iranian companies for allegedly producing and transferring drones to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Tehran-based Safiran Airport Services, one of the sanctioned companies, is accused of coordinating military flights between Iran and Russia transporting drones, personnel, and equipment.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
This is a necessary step in halting the dangerous and growing partnership between Moscow and Tehran, with Iran having become Russia's only weapon supplier. While this emerging alliance may isolate Russia even more in the long term, it poses another complication to restoring the already stalled 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.
Establishment-critical narrative
Despite Iran having openly expressed its opposition to the war in Ukraine, the West keeps falsely accusing Tehran of supporting Russia. This smear campaign comes as a desperate attempt to halt Iran's technological advances now that the country is capable of producing and exporting drones.