Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Dan Sabbagh Defence and security editorMarch 12, 2026 at 04:00 PM
Putin’s ‘hidden hand’ lies behind Iran’s drone tactics, UK defence secretary says

AI Summary

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UK Defence Secretary John Healey stated that Russia, under Vladimir Putin, is indirectly influencing Iran's military tactics, particularly in drone warfare. This comes after a drone attack on a western military base in Erbil, Iraq, where British personnel are stationed. British officers observed that Iranian drone pilots are employing tactics similar to those used by Russia in Ukraine, flying drones at lower altitudes for increased effectiveness. Iran has deployed over 2,000 Shahed drones across the Middle East following a US-Israeli attack. Healey also noted concerns about Iran potentially mining the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supply, and that Russia benefits from high oil prices, providing funds for its war in Ukraine.

Keywords

iranian drones 90% putin 80% russia 80% military tactics 70% ukraine 70% shahed drones 70% middle east 60% erbil 50% strait of hormuz 50%

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Negative
Score: -0.40

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Source
The Guardian - World News
Political Lean
Center-Left (-0.40)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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