Iran unveils naval drone division as Biden tours Mideast

Iran’s navy on Friday unveiled its first division of ships and submarines able to carrying armed drones, as US President Joe Biden excursions the Center East.

The USA and Israel, the sworn enemies of Iran, have beforehand accused the Islamic republic of utilizing drones and missiles to assault US forces and Israel-linked ships within the Gulf.

“The primary drone-carrier division of the Iranian navy consisting of ships and submarine models carrying all forms of drone for fight, detection and destruction has been unveiled,” state tv mentioned.

“All forms of the most recent superior drones produced by the army and the defence ministry have flown over the Indian Ocean’s waters to show their capabilities,” it added, displaying pictures of drones taking off from a naval vessel.

The announcement comes as Biden undertakes his first presidential go to to Israel, the place he and the Jewish state’s caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday signed a safety pact reinforcing their frequent entrance in opposition to Iran.

Biden’s journey additionally included a presentation of Israel’s “Iron Beam” air defence system, which makes use of lasers to intercept drones and missiles.

“As we’re conscious of the aggressive angle within the (United States’) system of domination, it’s mandatory to extend our defensive capabilities day-by-day,” Iranian military commander Abdolrahim Mousavi mentioned on tv.

“If the enemies make a mistake, (these drones) will current them with a regrettable response,” he warned throughout the unveiling.

In October 2021, the USA imposed sanctions concentrating on Iran’s drone programme, accusing it of supplying the know-how to its allies within the area, similar to Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the Huthis of Yemen and the Palestinian Islamist motion Hamas within the Gaza Strip.

White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan on Monday mentioned Iran plans to ship “a whole bunch of drones” to Russia to help its battle on Ukraine.

On Friday, Iranian Overseas Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian dismissed Sullivan’s accusations as “baseless”, throughout a phone dialog along with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba.

Iran started creating its drone programme within the Eighties throughout the Iran-Iraq battle.