Iran's assistance to Russia in its war in Ukraine is "expanding," according to a National Security Council official.
Tehran and Moscow's relationship has continued to blossom since the war commenced as Russian President Vladimir Putin has found himself increasingly isolated since invading Ukraine. In the fall, Iran provided Ukraine with hundreds of unmanned drones that Russian forces used to target Ukrainian infrastructure and its energy grid.
TIMELINE OF RUSSIA'S YEARLONG WAR IN UKRAINE
U.S. officials have warned about the possible threat of a growing Tehran-Moscow relationship in recent weeks and months, while the administration revealed on Friday that Iran's support for Russia's war has grown.
"We have additional information that Iran's support for Russia's war is expanding. In November, Iran shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia for use in Ukraine. Russia is planning to cooperate with Iran to obtain more military equipment in return," National Security Council coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Friday. "Russia has been offering Iran unprecedented defense cooperation, including on missiles, electronics, and air defense. We believe that Russia might provide Iran with fighter jets."
"Iran is also seeking to purchase additional military equipment from Russia, including attack helicopters, radars, and combat trainer aircraft. In total, Iran is seeking billions of dollars worth of military equipment from Russia," he added.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency confirmed earlier this month that Russia had been using Iran's Shahed-136 one-way attack UAV, the Shahed-131 one-way attack UAV, and the Mohajer-6 multirole UAV in Ukraine.
In December, Kirby said the Russian-Iranian relationship "is transforming ... into a full-fledged defense partnership," adding that the two sides are working on “the establishment of a joint production line for lethal drones in Russia," while national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in January that Iran "could potentially be contributing to widespread war crimes."
An Iranian drone that Russia launched in Ukraine contained parts made by more than a dozen U.S. and Western companies, while the Biden administration is "looking at ways to target Iranian UAV production through sanctions, export controls, and talking to private companies whose parts have been used in the production," Adrienne Watson, a National Security Council spokeswoman, said in a statement in early January to the Washington Examiner. "We are assessing further steps we can take in terms of export controls to restrict Iran’s access to technologies used in drones."
Iran is not the only country to provide or to consider providing weapons to Russia.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
North Korea "has provided arms" to the Wagner Group, a paramilitary mercenary group that operates closely with the Russian military, Kirby said. Additionally, various Biden administration officials have warned this week that China is considering providing "lethal aid" to Russia but hasn't done so yet.
The administration has warned of "consequences" for China should it arm Russia.