The US claims that there is now a full-fledged defence alliance between Russia and Iran.Russian military assistance is at an unprecedented level, according to US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby.
The US is aware of claims that the two nations are thinking about producing deadly drones together, he continued.
Australia has declared that it is imposing sanctions against three Iranians and one Iranian company for providing drones to Russia for use against Ukraine.
Recently, cooperation between Iran and Russia has come to light after Ukraine accused Russia of utilising Iranian drones in its strikes.
Prior to the invasion of Ukraine, the Middle Eastern
nation that had previously denied supplying any drones to Russia eventually
acknowledged doing so.
Mr Kirby added that a collaboration between Iran and
Russia to build drones would be disastrous to Ukraine, Iran's neighbours and
the international community.
He said that the US was concerned that Russia sought
to "supply Iran with modern military components," such as helicopters
and air defence systems. "Russia is attempting to engage with Iran in
areas like weapons development and training," he said.
He declared, "Iran has emerged as Russia's
principal military ally. "Russia has been attacking energy infrastructure
with Iranian drones, depriving millions of Ukrainians of heat, electricity, and
other essential services. Iran's activities are currently causing people to die
in Ukraine."
UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly responded to Mr.
Kirby's remarks by claiming that Iran had turned into one of Russia's primary
military allies and that their alliance was endangering international security.
Iran sent hundreds of drones to Russia as part of
the "sordid transactions" between the two nations.
He said, "In exchange, Russia is providing
military and technological support to the Iranian government, increasing the
risk it presents to our Middle Eastern allies and global security.
He said that the UK and the US both agreed that
Iranian military assistance to Russia would increase in the upcoming months as
Russia sought to acquire additional weaponry, including hundreds of ballistic
missiles.
Iran is accused by Ukraine of providing Russia with
"kamikaze" drones used in a string of strikes on October 17 that left
at least eight people dead.
Iran first denied doing so, but then acknowledged providing
a "small number" of drones to Russia "several months"
before to the Ukraine War. Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine,
claimed that this was false and that his country was shooting down roughly 10
Iranian drones every day.
Australia's foreign minister, Penny Wong, issued the
following statement on Saturday: "The sale of drones to Russia is proof of
Iran's contribution to the weakening of international security. This listing
emphasises that individuals who give Russia material help will suffer the
repercussions."
In addition, she unveiled punishments for two
organisations, Iran's Morality Police, and 19 other individuals for their cruel
treatment of anti-government protesters after Mahsa Amini, 22, died in jail
earlier this year.
As for other events, President Zelensky claims that
after months of terrible warfare in the eastern Donbas region, Russia has
reduced the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut to "burnt ruins."
Belarus will permit the transit of Ukrainian grain
via its borders for export through Lithuanian ports, according to the UN.
The director of a Ukrainian human rights group that
was jointly awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize - Oleksandra Matviichuk of
the Centre for Civil Liberties - has urged on nations to establish up an
international tribunal to investigate Russian President Vladimir Putin for
Russia's war in Ukraine
Despite a global ban, the International Olympic
Committee says it would look at a proposal to enable athletes from Russia and
Belarus to compete in sporting events in Asia.