U.S. warns Russia planning to send fighter jets to Iran

The White House on Friday warned that Russia was considering the delivery of fighter jets to Iran as Moscow and Tehran tighten their military ties to combat mounting pressure from western powers.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby noted Iran's past supply of drones and munitions to aid the Russian war effort in Ukraine and cautioned that the two regional powers were engaging in "unprecedented defense cooperation," the Washington Times reported.

"When we talked about the growing defense relationship between Iran and Russia, we were concerned it was going to go both ways and those concerns are certainly becoming realized... This defense cooperation is not only, of course, not good for the people of Ukraine... but it’s certainly not good for the Middle East," he continued.

Iran is reportedly seeking to purchase attack helicopters and a bevy of other military equipment from Moscow. Tehran has reportedly provided Russia with a number of kamikaze drones amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The Iranian regime came under intense pressure last year from irate protesters in the wake of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the "morality police." The Islamic government responded with brutal crackdowns, using lethal force against protesters and publicly executing the ringleaders.

Russia, for its part, has pursued closer ties with many of its Middle Eastern and Asian neighbors in the face of western sanctions. China, in particular, has seemingly been receptive to Moscow's diplomatic overtures and is reportedly considering providing Russia with lethal support for the war.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.