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Live. Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones for strikes against US and Israel, Zelenskyy says
They Shahed drone, which was initially manufactured in Iran, first saw mass use in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where thousands have been launched since 2022.
Welcome to day 16 of our live coverage tracking the latest developments in the ongoing war in the Middle East which started on 28 February with an opening bombing campaign on Iran by the United States and Israel.
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Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones, Zelenskyy says
Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones to use in strikes against the United States and Israel, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN in an interview on Saturday.
Zelenskyy told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that it is “100% facts” that Iran has used Russian-made Shaheds to attack US bases.
Iran initially pioneered the Shahed, which was a much cheaper alternative to expensive missiles.
They first saw mass use in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, where thousands have been launched by Russian forces since 2022.
Although Iran initially provided the drones, Russia now manufactures its own.
7:29 GMT+1
Emirati adviser slams Iran’s claim that Kharg strikes were launched from the UAE
“This reflects a confused policy that missed the point, lost its direction, and lacked wisdom,” Anwar Gargash, adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, wrote on social media late on Saturday.
Gargash was referring to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s comments in which he accused the US of using the United Arab Emirates as a base for its attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island.
7:16 GMT+1
Gulf countries report fresh wave of attacks
Sirens sounded in Bahrain ahead of an assault on Sunday, while the United Arab Emirates reported a missile attack, urging residents to shelter in safe locations.
Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said its systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the capital, Riyadh, and the kingdom’s eastern region.
7:16 GMT+1
Iran accuses ‘the enemy’ of attacking neighbouring countries to pin blame on Tehran
Iran’s joint military command accused “the enemy” on Sunday of using copycat Iranian drones to attack neighbouring countries and pin the blame on Tehran, state media reported.
Iran usually uses “the enemy” as a reference to the United States and Israel.
The statement said copies of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, known as LUCAS, were used to hit “irrelevant targets in the regional states,” including attacks on Turkey, Iraq and Kuwait. No evidence was provided.
The military command also said Iran openly shares its targets, which it describes as US and Israeli interests, and urged trust and cooperation from regional countries.
7:13 GMT+1
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vow to ‘pursue and kill’ Israeli PM Netanyahu
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed on Sunday to target Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the war with Israel and the United States continues.
“If this child-killing criminal is alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the Guards said on their website Sepah News.
7:12 GMT+1
Eleven countries ask Ukraine for help with Iran’s drone warfare, Zelenskyy says
Eleven countries have requested Kyiv’s help in countering Shahed-type drones amid the Iran war and Tehran’s ongoing attacks against the Gulf states, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday.
“There is clear interest in Ukraine’s experience in protecting lives, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training,” Zelenskyy said.
For more on what countries in the Gulf can learn from Ukraine, you can read Sasha Vakulina’s full report below.
Eleven countries ask Ukraine for help with Iran’s drone warfare
Kyiv is reviewing official requests from countries neighbouring Iran, as well as from the US and European countries, which are now asking Ukraine for help with…
