U.S. Intelligence: Iran asked russia for help in creating nuclear weapons

According to U.S. intelligence, Iran is seeking help from russia to support its nuclear programme – thus Tehran is looking for a backup plan in case the long-term nuclear deal with world powers is not implemented.

Source. CNN.

Details. According to intelligence, Iran has been asking russia for help in acquiring additional nuclear materials and with nuclear fuel production, sources briefed on the matter said. This fuel could help Iran power its nuclear reactors and could further reduce Iran's time to create nuclear weapons.

Iran already provides the russian army with kamikaze drones used to strike Ukraine's energy infrastructure, as well as helmets and body armour.

According to U.S. reports, the kremlin is discussing the supply of Iranian short-range ballistic missiles, with which it hopes to replenish its depleted reserves of high-precision missiles.

In addition, russia is waiting for gas turbines from Iran to substitute equipment from Western suppliers, and is also offering Iranian insurers to insure tankers carrying russian oil.

The Biden administration is watching any new areas of cooperation between Iran and russia with concern. Any covert russian assistance to Iran that could boost Iranian efforts to produce a nuclear weapon would also mark a significant shift in russian policy, given russia’s membership of the P5+1 group of countries that have been part of the negotiations to block Iran’s nuclear programme.

And although the kremlin's cooperation with Iran is apparently expanding, it is unclear whether russia has agreed to help with nuclear technology, CNN sources state, since the kremlin has long outwardly opposed Iran getting nuclear weapons.

U.S. officials believe moscow may be assisting Iranian authorities in suppressing protests that have swept the country in recent weeks.