NYT: Biden launches major effort to choke Iran’s drone program, end supply to Russia

The Biden administration has launched a major effort to choke Iran’s ability to manufacture and deliver drones for Russia to use in the war in Ukraine, the New York Times reports, likening the move to the years-long effort to halt Iran’s drive toward nuclear weapons.

The report says the US is cooperating closely with Israel on the issue, and building on Jerusalem’s experience thwarting Iranian drone attacks.

Citing multiple security officials in the US, Europe and the Middle East, the report says that the program also aims to give Ukraine the ability to shoot down any “kamikaze” drones that Russia does manage to acquire or target their launch sites.

Among the steps being taken is blocking access to Western-made components that Iran uses in the drones, the report says, adding that stopping Iran from acquiring the dual-use technology is proving challenging.

“We are looking at ways to target Iranian UAV production through sanctions, export controls, and talking to private companies whose parts have been used in the production,” Adrienne Watson, the spokeswoman for the National Security Council says, using the acronym for unmanned aerial vehicles.

“We are assessing further steps we can take in terms of export controls to restrict Iran’s access to technologies used in drones,” she adds.