British MPs have called for an inquiry after a number of universities were accused of helping Iran to develop suicide drones, The Telegraph reported.
According to a report by The Jewish Chronicle, scientists from the UK helped Iranian institutions that work in developing technology that could be used in Iran’s drones and fighter jets program.
At least 11 British universities are involved, with the staff producing at least 16 studies with potential Iranian military applications, The Telegraph reported on Thursday.
Key pieces of research have been conducted by academics at the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Glasgow, Cranfield University, and Northumbria University.
The report also includes names of Iranian researchers in UK universities who shared their research with students in Iranian universities which some are facing Western sanctions.
The research analyzed upgrading the engines used to power drones including HESA Shahed 136, which Russia recently acquired from Iran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is the main military institution working on developing drones including suicide drones that Russia used in Ukraine.
The report comes in parallel with ongoing pressure on the British government to list IRGC as a terrorist organization.
Britain bans the export of military technology to Iran.
MPs have called for launching an investigation into how the academic research was carried out.
Alicia Kearns, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said she would be calling for an inquiry into the “horrifying collaboration – one that I fear risks breaching sanctions in place around sensitive and dual-use technologies”.
“It is quite possible these collaborations are assisting in the gender apartheid within Iran, and its hostile interference and violence across the Middle East or even helping to massacre civilians in Ukraine,” she added.
David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary, also called for an investigation into the “deeply troubling” findings, calling on the Government to “urgently investigate whether or not UK universities and academics have breached UK sanctions on Iran regarding collaboration on military technologies”.
A UK Government spokesman said: “We will not accept collaborations which compromise our national security. We have made our systems more robust and expanded the scope of the Academic Technology Approval Scheme to protect UK research from ever-changing global threats, and refuse applications where we have concerns.”
The Departments of State, Commerce, Justice, and the Treasury issued on Friday an advisory to alert the international community and private sector, to the threat posed by Iran’s procurement, development, and proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“The Advisory informs private industry of key UAV-related components Iran seeks to develop its UAV program and entities involved in the procurement, production, and proliferation of Iranian UAVs.”
“The Advisory also provides recommendations to exporters, manufacturers, distributors, and financial institutions,” in order to “ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements across the entire supply chain and to avoid unintentionally contributing to Iran’s UAV programs.”
The advisory added that it is critical that the private sector be vigilant “to prevent any activities that would further the development of Iran’s destabilizing and dangerous UAV program.”
“This advisory is another example of how the United States is working to disrupt and delay the transfers of UAVs from Iran to Russia.”
“Russia is continuing to use Iran-produced UAVs in attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.”
