Iran is closely monitoring developments along its borders following reports Ukraine has been deploying unmanned aerial vehicles in neighboring areas and stands ready to counter any associated threats, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei has said. Earlier, Iranian news agency Tasnim, citing various sources, reported that Ukraine was actively deploying thousands of drones in countries bordering Iran, including Iraq’s Kurdistan region. One source told the agency that Tehran views Kiev’s actions as part of a hostile strategy pursued by NATO and the European Union and is assessing possible countermeasures.
Iran says visits by senior Turkish, Pakistani, and Saudi officials show that US threats have failed to deter regional cooperation, with Tehran calling for West Asian security free from external interference — Security Council Secretary Rezaei. Regional countries also demand that Israel withdraw from southern Lebanon, southern Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank and halt its attacks. Iran rules out discussing its nuclear program in talks with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan until Washington meets Tehran’s demands.