Iran Recalls Suicide Drones From Russia To Use On Own Citizens

The regime’s killing of a woman who refused to wear the face- and head-covering that Iran’s modesty laws mandate sparked the unrest.

Tehran, September 25 – Officials in the Islamic Republic apologized today to Russian President Vladimir Putin, explaining that they must renege on an agreement to supply the Russian military with explosive unmanned aerial vehicles, now that the regime here must contend with a popular uprising against its repressive policies and needs the craft to target the people engaged in the protests.

Representatives of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei conveyed his government’s regrets to Putin today that Iran must recall its most recent shipments to Russia of the Shahed-136 drone, even as Putin’s forces in Ukraine have begun to make use of the weapon in significant numbers. Russian army units have struggle in the face of a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has so far reclaimed thousands of square kilometers of territory in the last several weeks, following months of relative stalemate resulting from the Russian invasion in February and March. The recall of the Iranian drones further challenges hard-pressed Russian forces facing Western-supplied Ukrainians with superior training, discipline, and morale. Khamenei, however, needs the drones to suppress unrest sparked by the regime’s killing of a woman who refused to wear the face- and head-covering that Iran’s modesty laws mandate.

Despite internet blackouts in the country, footage has emerged in multiple locales of mobs overwhelming or driving back security forces in riot gear. Unconfirmed reports place the number of protesters killed in the dozens, with hundreds more arrested and likely tortured, according to human rights groups. Khamenei and his officials apparently believe the Shahed explosive drone will prove key in defeating the protests.

The events mark at least the third time since 2009 that Iranians have revolted against the mullahs’ regime; the two previous attempts met with severe repression that quelled the unrest. Observers note that this time the atmosphere seems even more charged, with some analysts suggesting the regime feels more threatened it could topple – thus the desperate move that risks alienating crucial ally Russia.

Russia, in the meantime, has issued a military reserves callup of hundreds of thousands, and barred men ages 18-65 from leaving the country; flights, trains, and other passage out of Russia have in the meantime seen unprecedented demand. Analysts have wondered what military goal Putin might have in mind with the mobilization, given the poor performance and quality of front-line regular soldiers, let alone unmotivated draftee reservists. Some suggested, however, that aircraft with fleeing Russians might be repurposed to serve as suicide vehicles against Ukraine civilian infrastructure.

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