Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Saturday that Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones for use in attacks against United States and Israeli targets.
Zelenskyy stated in a CNN interview that it is "100% facts" Iran has deployed Russian-produced Shahed drones against U.S. military installations.
Originally developed by Iran, the Shahed drone became widely used during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine starting in 2022. While Iran initially supplied the weapons, Russia now produces them domestically.
Eleven countries, including U.S. and European allies, have formally requested Ukrainian expertise in countering drone threats, citing Kyiv’s frontline experience in electronic warfare and interception systems.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a "child-killing criminal."
Iran also claimed that copycat Shahed drones-identified as LUCAS models-were used to stage false-flag attacks on regional states like Turkey, Iraq, and Kuwait, blaming the U.S. and Israel.
Saudi Arabia intercepted 10 drones over Riyadh and its eastern region, while Bahrain and the UAE reported missile alerts Sunday.
Anwar Gargash, adviser to the UAE president, dismissed Iranian accusations that the U.S. launched strikes from Emirati soil as "confused" and lacking credibility.