Iran and US engaged in a delicate drone dance -analysis

Iranian media is taking an interest in stories in Western media about its drones. This is not surprising, since it often launders for its own interests by reporting that “foreign media” said something. For instance, Iran will say it has received information on a cyberattack or on some “mysterious explosion” in Israel and pretends that reporting it means there is some nefarious connection to Iran’s abilities.

The reports are used to tell us that Iran knows that its adversaries are concerned. Now Tehran is doing this with drones, seeking to highlight how the US is concerned about potential Iranian drone sales to Russia, and its increasing drone capabilities.

“Iran has the domestic ability to produce drones and we have seen with our own eyes how these drones have been used against our forces and our facilities in Syria and Iraq”

John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson

On the eve of the visit by US President Joe Biden to Israel and Saudi Arabia, the White House revealed that Russia was interested in acquiring Iranian drones and drone technology. Iran and Russia downplayed this claim, even as Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was flying to Tehran for meetings. But the drone story won’t go away. Fars News says that America is expressing concern about Iran’s drone capabilities. READ MORE