The Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing persons aware on the situation, that the US is pressuring Iran to stop supplying military drones to Russia as part of discussions on a larger unwritten agreement between Washington and Tehran to de-escalate tensions.
US asks Iran stop selling drones: The article, which cited an Iranian official and another individual familiar with the talks, claimed that the US is pressuring Iran to cease sending armed drones and spare parts to Russia, which Moscow is utilising in the conflict in Ukraine.
The White House or the Iranian foreign ministry did not promptly respond to a Reuters request for comment.
The announcement comes as Washington and Tehran work to reduce hostilities and restart more extensive negotiations about Iran’s nuclear programme. According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he would welcome any Iranian actions to reduce its “growing nuclear threat.”
The negotiations for a prisoner exchange arrangement last week coincided with these discussions, according to the publication.
While a fifth individual was already under house arrest, Iran authorized the release of four imprisoned US citizens from Evin prison in Tehran, allowing them to enter house arrest. According to sources cited by Reuters last week, as part of an agreement to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian cash in South Korea, Iran may release five arrested US citizens.