The United States, Britain and France on Friday called on the United Nations to urgently investigate Russia’s alleged use of hundreds of Iranian-supplied drones in the war in Ukraine, in violation of UN sanctions. But it is not clear whether the United Nations will do so in the face of strong opposition from Russia.
Russia He denies using Iranian drones, Despite widespread evidence of their use to attack Ukrainian cities.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield noted that this month the US released more information documenting Iran’s provision of hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles, known as drones or UAVs, as well as equipment that could be used to produce them. It said Ukraine and the UK had also provided evidence to the United Nations of Iranian drones that were recovered by the Ukrainian military.
“This is a matter of life and death for the Ukrainian people,” the US ambassador told the UN Security Council after delivering the statement calling for an investigation, which was signed by Albania and Ukraine.
The five countries accused Russia of violating the Security Council resolution that ratified the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers, not only by purchasing hundreds of Mohajer and Shahed drones by Working with Iran to produce drones within Russia.
The statement said the 2015 resolution prohibits all countries from transferring such weapons from Iran without prior approval from the Security Council, which was not granted.
” Russia has used these drones in recent weeks to strike Kievdestroying Ukrainian infrastructure, and killing and terrorizing Ukrainian civilians,” the United States and its allies said. “The United Nations must respond to the growing calls from the international community to investigate these abuses.”
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN Secretariat, which is chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, is still analyzing information it has received regarding the “alleged transfer of drones by Iran in a manner inconsistent” with the 2015 resolution.
He said the report, expected soon from Guterres, would be discussed this month by experts on the implementation monitoring committee and the 15-member Security Council in July. Russia is one of the five permanent members with veto power.
Thomas Greenfield told reporters the decision gave the Secretary-General a mandate to open an investigation. Haq did not say whether Guterres would do so.
Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzia told the Security Council that Ukraine had not given Russia or Iran “an iota of reliable evidence” about the use of Iranian drones.
“We hope that the Secretary-General will have enough wisdom not to mislead our former Western partners,” Nebenzia said.