U.K. Defence Minister suggests Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ behind Iran tactics
The Hindu
U.K. Defence Minister links Putin to Iran's drone tactics amid escalating conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
U.K. Defence Minister John Healey suggested on Thursday (March 12, 2026) 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 conflict in West Asia, which started when the United States and Israel struck Iran on February 28.
Also read: West Asia war updates on March 13, 2026
He told reporters that officials were analysing an Iranian-made drone that hit the U.K.’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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