British defence minister suggests Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ behind Iran tactics
The Straits Times
Mr John Healey said officials were analysing an Iranian-made drone that hit a UK base in Cyprus. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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LONDON – Britain’s Defence Minister John Healey suggested on March 12 that Russia was influencing Iran’s use of drone attacks in its war with the United States and Israel.
Mr Healey said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” may be behind some of the tactics deployed by Tehran in the Middle East conflict, which started when the US and Israel struck Iran on Feb 28.
He told reporters that officials were analysing an Iranian-made drone that hit Britain’s Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus on March 1 “for any evidence of Russian or any other foreign components and parts”.
“We will update you and appropriately publish any findings from that when we’ve got them,” he said during a visit to Britain’s military headquarters in Northwood, near London.
“But I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well, not least because one world leader that is benefiting from the sky-high oil prices at the moment is Putin,” he added.
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