FT: Russia is secretly preparing to transfer UAVs to Iran. After strikes by the US and Israel — the first lethal military aid

Meanwhile, Moscow is sharing satellite imagery and intelligence with Tehran, and emergency talks began in early March

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26 Mar 2026

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Russia and Iran began secret talks about possible drone supplies shortly after strikes by Israel and the United States on Tehran, reports the Financial Times, citing sources familiar with the intelligence.

According to the publication’s interlocutors, contacts began a few days after the attacks, and the processing of requests started in early March and was planned to be completed by the end of the month.

Representatives of Western security agencies clarify that the exact model of drones that Russia may transfer to Iran has not yet been established. At the same time, a likely option is the «Geran-2» systems, created on the basis of the Iranian Shahed-136.

Sources also indicate that Moscow maintains close coordination with Tehran: this involves providing the ally with satellite imagery, intelligence materials and data on potential targets.

According to the Financial Times’ assessment, possible arms supplies, including drones, could become the first evidence of Russia’s willingness to provide Iran with direct “lethal” assistance since the start of the war.

One senior Western official, who spoke to journalists, believes that Moscow’s involvement aims not only to strengthen Iran’s military capabilities but also to bolster the resilience of the current regime in Tehran.