White House: Russia may send fighter jets to Iran

Russia might provide Iran with fighter jets and other military equipment in exchange for Tehran's expanded support for Moscow's war in Ukraine, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Friday.

Kirby told reporters the United States had information that Iran had shipped artillery and tank rounds to Russia in November and Russia was offering "unprecedented defense cooperation" in return, including on missiles, electronics and fighter jets.

He said Iran was also seeking to purchase attack helicopters, radars and combat trainer aircraft.

“We’re going to be watching this very closely to see what, if anything, actually transpires and what, if any, transactions are actually made,” Kirby said, according to The Hill.

“There is this growing defense cooperation between Iran and Russia, and it’s not only certainly going to make things in Ukraine more difficult, but it could certainly make the security situation in the Middle East more difficult,” he added.

Iran and Russia expanding ties

According to a report in The Wall Street Journal earlier this month, Russia and Iran are proceeding with a plan to build an Iranian drone-manufacturing facility in Russia.

The plant could manufacture at least 6,000 Iranian drones for use by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, according to the report.

The Washington Post reported in November that Russia had covertly reached an agreement with Iran to begin manufacturing hundreds of weaponized drones on Russian soil, according to intelligence examined by the US and other Western security agencies.

Roman Meitav contributed to this report.