Adam Fulton a.o.
The Guardian / March 26, 2026
Russia is close to completing a phased shipment of drones, medicine and food to Iran, according to western intelligence reports that detail Moscow’s efforts to keep its embattled partner fighting, the Financial Times is reporting.
It quotes two officials briefed on the intelligence as saying senior Iranian and Russian officials began secretly discussing delivering drones days after Israel and the US attacked Tehran on 28 February.
The processing of deliveries began early this month and was expected to be completed by the end of March, the FT report says.
It continues:
‘Moscow has close ties with Tehran and has provided its ally with crucial support including satellite imagery, targeting data and intelligence support, people familiar with the matter said.
The shipments of weaponry such as drones would be the first evidence Moscow has been willing to provide lethal support to Iran since the start of the war.’
The FT report could not be independently verified.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov is quoted in the report as saying when asked about Moscow sending drones to Iran: ‘There are a lot of fakes going around right now. One thing is true – we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership.’
Antonio Giustozzi, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), is quoting as saying of the Iranians:
‘They don’t need more drones. They need better drones. They are after the more advanced capabilities.’
Adam Fulton is a digital news producer at Guardian Australia
