October 4, 2024

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The United States: Asks Iran to stop selling drones to Russia

The United States: Asks Iran to stop selling drones to Russia

The Financial Times reported today, citing people with knowledge of the matter, that the United States is pressing Iran to stop selling armed drones to Russia, as part of talks on a broader verbal agreement between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions.

The newspaper, quoting an Iranian official and another person familiar with the talks, stated that the United States is pressuring Iran to stop selling armed drones to Russia, which Moscow is using in its war in Ukraine, as well as spare parts for drones.

The White House and Iran’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The news comes as Washington and Iran try to calm tensions and revive broader talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that he welcomes any steps Iran takes to calm its “escalating nuclear threat”.

The newspaper said that the talks took place in addition to negotiations on the prisoner exchange deal last week. Iran allowed the release of four American citizens held from Tehran’s Evin Prison under house arrest, while a fifth was already under house arrest.

Sources told Reuters last week that Iran may release five US citizens being held as part of a deal to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds in South Korea.

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