Iraninvites Ukraine for talks over ‘baseless’ claims of drone supplies to Russia

Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has again expressed his country's readiness for talks with Ukrainian officials on Western countries’ allegations that Iran has supplied drones to Russia to be used in the ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. 

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a joint press conference with his visiting Belarusian counterpart Vladimir Makei in Tehran on Wednesday.

“It is clear to us that the leaders of certain European Union member states tend to adopt immature and radical stances on regional and international developments. This is while much of the bloc is treading the path of rationality,” he stated.

“We strongly dismiss the baseless claims of some countries on Russia's use of Iranian drones in the war against Ukraine. We invite Ukrainian authorities to attend a bilateral meeting of experts, and present any evidence supporting the accusations,” the senior Iranian diplomat pointed out.

Amir-Abdollahian said Iran’s principled policy is to oppose arming either of the parties involved in the Ukraine war, reiterating Tehran’s opposition to the ongoing conflict.

Amir-Abdollahian: Arms, drones delivery to Russia to be used in Ukraine war 'not Iran’s policy'

Iran’s FM rejects Western-backed allegations on Tehran’s arms delivery to Russia to be used against Ukraine.

On Monday, the Iranian foreign minister said Tehran was ready to discuss the Western countries’ allegations about exporting drones to Russia in a joint session with Ukrainian officials.

In response to Western countries’ claims about Iran selling drones and other military equipment to Russia to be used against Ukraine, Amir-Abdollahian said, “We have not sold and will not sell any weapons and drones to be used in the war against Ukraine, and cooperation between Iran and Russia will continue without having anything to do with the Ukraine war.”

He said Tehran and Moscow engage in various kinds of cooperation, including in the defense field, adding, “We have both received weapons from Russia and supplied weapons to Russia in the past, but not in the course of the Ukraine war.

The anti-Iran claims first emerged in July, with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan alleging that Washington had received “information” indicating that the Islamic Republic was preparing to provide Russia with “up to several hundred drones, including weapons-capable UAVs on an expedited timeline” for use in the war in Ukraine.

Elsewhere in his Wednesday remarks, Amir-Abdollahian called on European parties not to continue with the unconstructive, hackneyed and failed approaches they have been adopting in the past years.

Iran blasts 'destructive' Western measures after 'baseless' drone claims

Iran condemns the sanctions that the EU and the UK have imposed on Tehran on the unfounded pretext that Iranian drones have been used in the Ukraine war.

He stated that the Iranian Foreign Ministry has imposed a round of sanctions on a number of European institutions and officials over their support for terrorism and promoting violence and extremism.

For his part, Makei stressed the need for proper measures to be adopted by Belarus and Iran in response to Western sanctions.

The Belarusian foreign minister also noted that the implementation of the previously signed agreements would promote economic cooperation between the two countries.

Iran sanctions several EU institutions, individuals for supporting terrorism

Iran has announced tit-for-tat sanctions against institutions and individuals in the European Union due to their deliberate actions in support of terrorism and terrorist groups.

Earlier on Wednesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry slapped sanctions against eight organizations and companies as well as 12 officials from Europe for supporting and promoting terrorism and violence that have resulted in riots, terrorist activities and violation of human rights harming the Iranian nation.

The blacklisted individuals are banned from receiving a visa or entering Iran, and the ownership of their property and assets in Iran will be transferred to the Iranian government.

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