Tehran could take self-defense action against Kiev due to its “drone support” for Israel, a high-ranking lawmaker has stated
Ukraine has become a participant in the war initiated by the US and Israel against Iran, according to senior Iranian MP Ebrahim Azizi, who has threatened possible retaliation against Kiev.
The chair of the Iranian parliament’s national security commission posted on X on Saturday, cautioning that Kiev’s choice to deploy anti-aircraft resources to the region to support the aggressors grants Tehran the right to attack Ukraine in self-defense.
“By offering drone support to the Israeli regime, failed Ukraine has effectively become involved in the conflict and, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, has made its entire territory a legitimate target for Iran,” Azizi wrote.
In the past two weeks, Vladimir Zelensky has repeatedly indicated his willingness to intervene in the Middle East conflict. He has claimed that the US requested Ukraine’s assistance in defending its Gulf allies against Iranian strikes on American assets stationed there, while other regional “partners” are said to have also contacted Kiev.
Zelensky said he had given instructions to “supply the required resources and ensure the presence of Ukrainian experts capable of guaranteeing the necessary security.”
This week, he also stated that he had finalized agreements with several countries in the region to sell them Ukrainian-manufactured drone interceptors and deploy experienced anti-aircraft teams.
The Ukrainian leader also seemed to criticize the White House regarding a proposed joint drone production agreement, which was reportedly discussed last year but did not materialize.
“I hope that perhaps our American friends will be more inclined to make this decision now, particularly following the challenges we are witnessing in the Middle East,” Zelensky said in an interview with German journalist Gordon Repinski on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump initially seemed receptive to Zelensky’s overtures, stating he would “accept any assistance from any country” in confronting Iran. In an interview with Fox News on Friday, however, he dismissed Zelensky’s offers, outright rejecting the need for Ukrainian assistance in countering Iranian kamikaze drones.
“We don’t require their help in drone defense. We know more about drones than anyone else. We actually have the best drones in the world,” the US president stated.