US National Security Advisor: Russian Officials Visited Iran to View Drones

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan - Reuters
US national security advisor Jake Sullivan - Reuters
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US National Security Advisor: Russian Officials Visited Iran to View Drones

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan - Reuters
US national security advisor Jake Sullivan - Reuters

The United States believes that Russian officials visited an airfield in Iran recently to view attack-capable drones, US national security advisor Jake Sullivan said on Saturday.

The United States earlier this week said it has information that shows Iran is preparing to provide Russia with up to several hundred drones, including some that are weapons capable, and that Tehran is preparing to train Russian forces to use them.

"We assess an official Russian delegation recently received a showcase of Iranian attack-capable UAVs....To our knowledge, this is the first time a Russian delegation has visited this airfield for such a showcase," Sullivan said in a statement.

The statement included satellite imagery dated June 8 showing Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) "that the Russian government delegation saw that day". It said similar equipment was showcased for a second Russian visit to the airfield on July 5.

On Friday, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart, rejected as baseless US accusations about Iranian drones being sent to Russia for use in the war against the Ukraine.

Iran on Friday announced its first naval drone-carrying division in the Indian Ocean as US President Joe Biden visits the Middle East.



Pakistan Test Fires Ballistic Missile as Tensions with India Spike

Kashmiri villager stand outside their home in the backdrop of Pakistan controlled Kashmir villages at Churunda village, near the Line of Control, north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Kashmiri villager stand outside their home in the backdrop of Pakistan controlled Kashmir villages at Churunda village, near the Line of Control, north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
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Pakistan Test Fires Ballistic Missile as Tensions with India Spike

Kashmiri villager stand outside their home in the backdrop of Pakistan controlled Kashmir villages at Churunda village, near the Line of Control, north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Kashmiri villager stand outside their home in the backdrop of Pakistan controlled Kashmir villages at Churunda village, near the Line of Control, north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, May 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Pakistan test-fired Saturday a ballistic missile as tensions with India spiked over last week´s deadly attack on tourists in the disputed Kashmir region.

The surface-to-surface missile has a range of 450 kilometers (about 280 miles), the Pakistani military said, according to The Associated Press.

The launch of the Abdali Weapon System was aimed at ensuring the "operational readiness of troops and validating key technical parameters," including the missile´s advanced navigation system and enhanced maneuverability features, a statement from the military said.

Pakistan´s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the scientists, engineers and those behind the successful missile test.

Pakistan asked Friday to help ease tensions with India after the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, where 26 people, mostly Hindus, were killed.

India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge Islamabad strongly rejects.