Nigeria: UK defence minister points finger at Russia over Iran drone attacks

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

UK Defence Minister John Healey has suggested that Russia may be influencing Iran’s use of drone attacks in its war with the United States and Israel. Healey pointed to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” behind some of Iran’s tactics, citing the country’s use of drones “as learned from the Russians”. This comes after an Iranian-made drone hit the UK’s Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus on March 1, with no injuries reported.

Healey’s comments follow a visit to Britain’s military headquarters, where he was briefed by Nick Perry, the British military’s chief of joint operations, on the “definitive” signs of a link between Russia and Iran. The UK is analyzing the drone for evidence of Russian or foreign components.

The incident has sparked concerns about Russia’s involvement in the Middle East conflict, with US President Donald Trump stating he had no indication Russia was supporting Iran, but if they were, it wasn’t “helping much”.