Russia, Iran refuse to yield to US pressure on military cooperation

Ryabkov's statement follows a recent report that suggests Washington has urged Tehran to halt the sale of drones to Moscow.

"We are sovereign nations and refuse to yield to the commands of the United States and its associates," Ryabkov said in a statement to the Russian state news agency RIA on Saturday.

The United States is exerting pressure on Iran to cease the sale of armed drones, which are reportedly being employed by Russia in the conflict in Ukraine.

While Iran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia, it has maintained that these transactions occurred prior to Russia's intervention in Ukraine in February 2022.

The Russian authorities have also refuted allegations that their forces utilized Iranian drones during the conflict.

The US pressure on Iran to halt the sale of drones to Russia is part of a broader effort to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine. The US has also imposed sanctions on Iran and provided military assistance to Ukraine. (ILKHA)