New Delhi: Amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, Iranian media reported on Sunday that Iran's top general stated that Western claims that Russia is using its drones against Ukraine demonstrate the "effectiveness" of Tehran's unmanned aerial vehicles, reported news agency AFP. In the course of the conflict, which has lasted for months, Kyiv and its Western allies have accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones to attack Ukraine and cause significant damage to its civilian and energy infrastructure.
Western nations have responded by imposing sanctions on a number of Iranian businesses and military generals, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces.
Tehran admitted at the beginning of November that it had sent drones to Russia prior to the February invasion, despite repeatedly denying providing weapons "to be used" in the conflict in Ukraine.
"Today's atmosphere-creating by the world of arrogance (a reference for the United States and its allies) regarding the use of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war, is part of the enemy's psychological warfare," Bagheri said, according to Tasnim news agency.
"Apart from the fact that many of these claims may be false, this, in fact, shows the effectiveness, importance and high rank of the Islamic republic in the field of drones."
Iran's arch-enemies Israel and the United States have accused Tehran of sending drone fleets to its Middle Eastern proxies, including the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, and the Huthi rebels in Yemen.
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During its eight-year war with Iraq, Iran began developing drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in the 1980s.
Iran will continue to develop UAVs, according to Bagheri.
"The country's armed forces will continue to grow and develop their drones... we will cooperate with other countries on drones", he was quoted as saying by Tasnim.
"Our drone systems are at a high ranking in the world in terms of accuracy, durability and continuity of operation and mission execution, and they perform various missions", he added.