Iran could supply Russia with ballistic missiles and drones to use in its war in Ukraine, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said.
Ukraine and its western allies, including the US, said Tehran had already sent drones to Russia.
On Tuesday, it was reported that Iran was preparing a shipment of 1,000 missiles and drones destined for Russia.
“We see Iran offering drones and considering ballistic missile deliveries to Russia,” Mr Stoltenberg said at a news conference in Istanbul on Thursday.
“This is unacceptable. No country should provide support to Moscow in this illegal war.”
Ukraine has said about 400 Iranian drones have already been used against the civilian population of Ukraine, with Russia ordering about 2,000. Iran has rejected the allegation.
Mr Stoltenberg said Russian President Vladimir Putin's plans were failing in Ukraine, resulting in him “responding with more brutality”.
Iran displays drones at secret underground base — in pictures
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Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, and Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi, Army Commander-in-Chief, visit an underground drone base at an undisclosed location in Iran. AFP -
Iranian state media revealed the existence of a drone base, said to be in the Zagros Mountains, in reports on a visit to the facility by Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri, left, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Reuters -
The Iranian Army released photos of a wide variety of drones lined up in long tunnels. AFP -
Iranian Army drones believed to be held at an underground facility in the Zagros Mountains, a range that runs 1,600 kilometres through Iran, Iraq and Turkey. AFP -
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
An army drone at an underground drone base somewhere in Iran. Senior officers in the Iranian military say its drone force gives it regional leadership. AFP -
An Iranian military drone is inspected at a secret underground site. Reuters -
Iran's unmanned aircraft programme has come up with dozens of kinds of drones since the middle of the 1980s. AFP -
Reminders of the Iranian Army's revolutionary heritage are seen at an underground facility when drones are stored. AFP -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
Iran's missile development has come along in tandem with programmes to developed military drones. AFP -
Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri and Army Commander-in-Chief Maj Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi. AFP -
Photos from an underground Iranian military base show development of several drone platforms. AFP -
A heavy payload for a drone at a secret underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
Iran introduced the IAIO Fotros surveillance drone late in 2013. AFP -
Iran's developing missile technology has been used by Tehran's allies around the Middle East. AFP -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. AFP -
An army drone at an underground base somewhere in Iran. Reuters
“In recent weeks, we have seen dozens of drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, including on critical infrastructure,” Mr Stoltenberg said.
He accused Russia of “cruelly and deliberately depriving Ukrainian civilians of heating, water and electricity at the outset of winter”.
On Tuesday, experts told The National that Russia's campaign would receive a major lift with the delivery of hundreds more “kamikaze” drones and short-range ballistic missiles.
The consignment is being closely monitored by western intelligence services, particularly as it will be the first occasion that Iran has exported surface-to-surface missiles, potentially the Shahab or Zolfaghar weapons.
The arms are expected to arrive in Russian territory before the end of this year.
