Since mid-2022, Iran has become Russia’s top military backer, according to John Kirby of the National Security Council. Iran’s decision to aid Russia in the war on Ukraine reflected the expanding strategic alliance with Moscow. Since August, Iran has provided Russia with hundreds of drones, including the Shahed-136 suicide drone and the Mohajer-6 reconnaissance and strike drone. In November, Iran shipped artillery and tank rounds as well.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has pardoned "tens of thousands" of prisoners, including many arrested in recent anti-government protests over security-related charges, state media reported on February 5.
Iranian authorities have detained a journalist at a reformist publication, local media reported on February 5, as her sister, also a journalist, remains in custody after reporting on Mahsa Amini's death.
The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions against an Iranian drone manufacturer for providing Shahed drones to Russia that the Kremlin has used in airstrikes against Ukraine.
The United States issued a joint statement with France, the United Kingdom, and Germany on February 3 criticizing Iran's "inadequate" response to an International Atomic Energy Agency report on its nuclear program.