A top US Air Force commander declared Wednesday that supplying Iranian “drones” to the Russians could lead Russia to help Iran’s nuclear program become more lethal.
Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of the US Central Air Force, described the danger potentially posed by Russia’s “cooperation and collusion” with Iran, particularly as Moscow operates over Syrian airspace and Tehran threatens commercial ships in the waters of the Persian Gulf.
American pilots have already faced what they call more aggressive maneuvers by Russian pilots in Syria, while a new American air detachment has been sent to protect commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. through which 20% of all the oil in the world passes. .
“I am concerned about the growing relationship between Russia and Iran and the ‘drones’ supplied to Russia,” Grynkewich told reporters during a news conference at the US embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
“Who would have thought that the Russian Federation would need to go to Iran to look for military capabilities (…). This means that Russia owes something to Iran. I am worried about what could happen when we see this level of collaboration.” said Grynkewich.
Tehran gave contradictory explanations about the ‘drones’ that Russia used to attack Ukraine, denying that it had armed Moscow and, at the same time, saying that it provided some of this equipment before the start of the war against the Ukrainians.
Western nations, Ukraine and experts who have examined the drones say the devices are supplied by Iran and claim the number of drones used on the battlefield shows Tehran is constantly resupplying Russia.
Grynkewich said he is concerned that Russian improvements in Iran’s drone technology could make these bomb-carrying devices even more dangerous.
“There may be some cooperation and collusion between Russia and Iran that is happening here in Syria. We will see where it leads. It is something we are following very closely. This growing relationship, to me, is a military concern,” he added.
Grynkewich also claimed that “hundreds” of fighters from the Russian mercenary group Wagner are still operating in the country, even after their leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died in a mysterious and violent plane crash.
In recent weeks, a large deployment of US sailors and Marines, along with F-35, F-16 fighter jets and other military aircraft, has taken place in the Persian Gulf region due to concerns that Iran attacks maritime transport.
The Pentagon is also considering a plan to send US troops aboard commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Grynkewich said this flexible deployment will likely continue for some time, supported by the extensive network of bases the United States enjoys across the region.
Source: TSF
