Iran Seeks Advanced Russian Drones for Potential Use Against Israel, US

Iran has requested that Russia sell it advanced "Geran" strike drones, potentially for use in conflicts involving Israel and the United States, according to a September 14 report by Ynet, citing a Financial Times article. Western intelligence officials and a source close to the Kremlin told the Financial Times that Tehran made the request in 2026 for "Geran" drones, an upgraded version of Iran's "Shahed" UAVs.

The new Russian "Geran-4" and "Geran-5" drones have recently posed a significant challenge to Ukraine. Unlike earlier models with propeller engines that flew at approximately 150-180 km/h, these new drones feature jet engines and achieve much higher speeds, with the "Geran-4" reaching 350-500 km/h and the "Geran-5" reportedly capable of 600 km/h. The "Geran-5" carries a 90 kg warhead and has a range of up to 1000 km, resembling a cruise missile with thermal imaging and AI target recognition systems. Its speed makes it difficult for Ukrainian interceptor drones to engage.

These advanced drones have demonstrated effectiveness in Ukraine, bypassing air defenses more frequently than their predecessors. Recent attacks include a direct strike on the Security Service of Ukraine headquarters in Kyiv and a near-miss targeting President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane as it prepared to depart Moldova. Hundreds of other drones have hit Ukrainian infrastructure, including gas stations, trains, food storage, shopping centers, and residential buildings.

While these new jet-powered drones are more complex and costly to produce, Ukraine estimates Russia's monthly production capacity at 2,800 to 3,000 units. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate provided the higher figure of 3,000 drones in August 2026. The combination of mass production and high speed could present a considerable challenge to the US and its allies in the region if Iran acquires this technology.

Although the "Geran-5's" stated range of 950-1000 km means it cannot reach Israel when launched from Iran, it could theoretically strike Israeli territory if launched from Lebanon, Syria, or significant parts of Iraq. Iran might also attempt to modify the drones to increase their range by reducing the warhead's weight.