Russia is shipping drone components, ammunition and TNT to Iran through the Caspian Sea, helping Tehran replenish stockpiles damaged in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, according to a European government document obtained by NBC News and verified by a Western official.
The Kremlin’s motives go beyond loyalty to an ally. Every Iranian drone that strikes US targets in the Persian Gulf diverts American attention and military resources away from the war in Ukraine.
In addition, rebuilding Iran’s military stockpiles allows Tehran to continue supplying weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as pro-Iranian groups in Iraq and Syria. Increased pressure on the United States in the Middle East traditionally reduces the amount of support Washington can provide to Kyiv.
Neither Moscow nor Tehran has officially commented on the reported shipments. US officials have declined to publicly assess how effectively the supplies are making up for Iran’s losses.
Western intelligence agencies say a full assessment of the damage to Iran’s military infrastructure is still underway.
https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/russia-sends-iran-explosives-and-drone-parts-1787064120.html
Israeli strikes on Bandar Anzali in late March targeted the same supply corridor.
Ukrainian intelligence has flagged Russian satellite imagery and targeting help going the other direction to Iranian operations.
Western assessments of Iran’s remaining missile and drone stocks remain incomplete as reconstruction efforts continue.