U.S. Transfers Seized Iranian Ammunitions To Ukraine

Washington D.C./05.10.23/Turan:  The Biden administration has transferred to Ukraine hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition seized from Iran and were stored in American facilities across the Middle East, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

The Pentagon confirmed on Wednesday that transfer to the Ukrainian armed forces included over million 7.62 mm rounds, munitions the U.S. obtained this summer  through its claims against Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“The U.S. is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including U.S. and U.N. sanctions and through interdictions,” the Defence Department's Central Command said in the statement.

“Iran’s support for armed groups threatens international and regional security, our forces, diplomatic personnel, and citizens in the region, as well as those of our partners,” reads the statement.

The move comes as the U.S. media reported yesterday that the Biden administration for months had been pondering how to legally send the weapons because the UN requires such seized items be destroyed or stored.

The administration is also seeking to explore additional sources to keep Ukraine aid sustainable amid the budget standoff in the U.S.

President Joe Biden told reporters on Wednesday that he will deliver a "major" speech about funding for Ukraine and "why it's critically important for the U.S and our allies that we keep our commitment."

According to the White House, Biden will receive a briefing on Ukraine from members of his national security team this afternoon in the Oval Office.

Alex Raufoglu