Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” is likely to help Iran respond to Donald Trump’s war, the UK defense secretary said, after it emerged that Iraq-related drones had struck a base in Iraq where some British troops are stationed.
They were not hurt.
John Healy said attacks by Iranian forces against targets across the Middle East “have the hallmarks” of how Russian forces operate in their war. Ukraine.
This involved a change in how Iran uses its drones.
Tehran sold thousands of “Shahed” one-way attack drones to Russia in the early months of President Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Putin. Image: AP
The Russians, with Iranian help, later developed their own version of an unmanned aerial vehicle, and now the lessons they learned from fighting in Ukraine are helping the Iranians respond to waves of US and Israeli strikes against Iran.
“No one would be surprised to believe that Putin has a hidden hand behind some of Iran’s tactics, even potentially some of their capabilities,” Healy said, speaking to reporters during a tour of the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) in Northwood, the main base for monitoring military operations.
The defense secretary said the potential Russia link was “not least because Putin is the one world leader benefiting from sky-high oil prices at the moment”.
John Healy
He was referring to the rise in oil prices after Iran used its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz from its coast to block one of the world’s most important shipping lanes.
The Russian president “is likely to welcome this war more than anyone else,” the defense secretary said.
Lieutenant General Nick Perry, the head of joint operations, which oversees all UK military operations around the world, said there was “definitely” a link between Russia and Iran, which have a long-standing military relationship.
“We’ve definitely seen Iranian techniques of using their drones that we’ve learned from the Russians — flying them less often so they’re more effective,” said Lt. Gen. Perry, who spoke to Mr. Healy as he looked at a map of the Gulf in a room at military headquarters.
“There’s no doubt that (Iranian) tactics have changed,” Lt. Gen. Perry said.
Drones from the Iranian side are causing more damage across the region, he said.
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It involved an Iran-linked drone – presumably fired from Lebanon or Iraq – that hit a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus on the second day of the war and landed near a hangar.
Mr Healy said an investigation was underway to find out whether components of that device contained Russian parts.
“We will update you on its findings,” he said.
Emergency personnel work at the site of a strike amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran on March 12, 2026 in Tehran, Iran. Majid Asgaripou
British forces shot down two drones overnight that were fired at an army base in Erbil, northern Iraq, a second military commander said.
“A number affected the camp,” said officer Mr. Healy.
He said that no British lives were lost.
However, the defense secretary said there were reports of several US casualties, although no one was seriously injured.
