The British Defense Minister, John Healeyhas accused Russia to be lending support for Iran in their attacks against Israel and against the bases of the United States and its allies in the Middle East. Healey has referred specifically to the tactics used by the pilots of iranian drones to avoid the anti-aircraft defense systems and hit their targets, something that already happened in one of the United Kingdom bases in Cyprus and that was repeated in the early hours of this Thursday in Erbilin Iraq, where British troops and other Western countries are deployed.
“I don’t think it will surprise anyone to believe that the Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics and, potentially, also some of its capabilities,” he said. Healey this Thursday on a visit to Army headquarters in Northwood, northwest London. According to British high command, Russia is sharing information with Iran since the attacks by the United States and Israel began on February 28, including tactics to avoid the downing of their drones with low altitude flights.
Drones kamikaze
Iran has launched more than 2,000 Shahed drones since the conflict began, a low-cost weapon that has proven to be more effective than expected. These same drones have been used by Russia in its invasion of ukraine from 2022, something that has allowed Moscow to accumulate a extensive experience about its use and about the most effective tactics to damage their military objectives. The Kremlin has denied having provided information to Iran in recent weeks, but US sources claim otherwise.
British Army Lieutenant General Nicholas Perry has recognized that kamikaze drone attacks are what are causing “greater damage” to the United Kingdom and its allies in the region. The basis of the Akrotiri Air Forcein Cyprus, was hit by one of these devices in the first days of the conflict, causing a hole in a hangar where American spy planes were stored. An attack similar to the one this morning in Erbil, which has slightly injured American soldiers. The same base already suffered another attack on the first day of the conflict with no casualties reported.
Oil price
Healey has also highlighted that the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is benefiting Russia in the war in Ukraine, since it will be able to sell oil more expensively. “The only world leader who is benefiting from the very high oil prices at the moment it is Putin, since they provide him with new funds for his brutal war in Ukraine,” said the minister, who has opened the door to the participation of the United Kingdom in a convoy of merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz to maintain maritime traffic and guarantee oil supply.
Since it began war in iranthis strategic point has remained closed for practical purposes due to drone attacks launched against oil tankers by Iran. This situation has raised the price of a barrel of Brent above the 100 dollars and has disrupted the markets, fearful that these attacks will continue in the coming weeks or months. Healey has assured that the United Kingdom has autonomous detection systems of sea mines available to be used if necessary, but has insisted that the quickest way to end the blockade is with a “de-escalation of the conflict”.
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