Repercussions of Iranian drone program's success felt in Middle East -

Tehran: Iranian drones were effectively used by the Russian military to attack Ukraine. The Kamikaze drones produced in Iran proved to have caused significant damage in Ukraine. Western countries, including Ukraine, took serious cognisance of this. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned that Iran made a mistake by cooperating with Russia. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei expressed his satisfaction by saying that Iranian drones proved their capabilities in the Ukraine conflict. While tensions are rising in the Middle East for various reasons, the Middle East is unsettled given the performance of Iranian-developed drones in the Ukraine conflict.

The Russian military destroyed some locations in Ukraine using Kamikaze drones. These Iranian-made drones have become a concern for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelensky criticised Iran in this regard and protested diplomatically. But Iran denied these allegations levelled against it. But Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei claimed that Iran’s drones have proved their capabilities and are making the enemy shiver. Therefore, it was revealed that Russia is using Iranian drones to torment Ukraine. It is claimed that this Iranian capability developing on the front of drones is a matter of concern for the Middle East, which Iran may threaten.

After the war with Iraq broke out in the 1980s, Iran began working on drones. But the Iranian drone program has gained momentum in the last ten years. Iranian analysts claim ‘The United States should also be credited for this. Because US drones were operating in Iranian territory and Iran started working on its technology by destroying them.’ At the same time, drones are a significant strategic need for Iran, as the Iranian Air Force does not have many sophisticated fighter jets. Analysts in Iran are also saying that Iran had to decide to ensure its air security using drones.

Meanwhile, Iran, which has taken an aggressive stance against the United States and other Western countries along with Israel that attaches the highest importance to defence, does not even have a sophisticated air force or navy. But Iran has adopted different tactics to overcome this deficiency. Iran’s navy does not consist of large warships. Instead, Iran prefers speed boats that can launch surprise attacks. It is considered to be the major strength of the Iranian navy. Along the same lines, Iran has tried to overcome the lack of sophisticated fighter jets by developing attack drones. Analysts point out that this is the background behind the drones developed by Iran.

At the same time, Iran’s competitors in the Middle East are alarmed by the Iranian success in developing drones. The Houthi rebels in Yemen have jaded Saudi Arabia and the UAE, launching missiles and drone attacks. There have been clear indications that this is achieved only because of Iranian drones. Therefore, the Middle East is looking at Iranian drones very seriously.