JEDDAH: Iran is preparing new attacks on Gulf countries and is trying to increase the amount of sophisticated weapons it provides to Russia, Israel's spy chief warned on Friday.

David Bernia, leader of the Mossad intelligence service, also claimed that the Tehran government was advancing its nuclear program at an unheard-of rate.

"We warn against Iran's future intentions, which they are trying to conceal," Bernia said. "These include deepening and expanding the supply of state-of-the-art weapons to Russia, expanding the uranium enrichment project and increasing its attacks against friendly Muslim countries in the region.

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The spy chief described the Iranian regime as "shameless", saying, "While one hand sends Iranian diplomats to Vienna to negotiate, the other hand sends Iranian terrorists to kill innocents around the world."

According to Saudi Arabia, the same armed drone that Russian forces are currently using in Ukraine was used in a significant attack on oil infrastructure in the east of the Kingdom in 2019.

Additionally, the Houthi militia in Yemen, which is backed by Iran, has carried out several drone, missile and mortar attacks against the Kingdom in recent years. In January this year, the Houthis also used drones to attack Abu Dhabi.

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The "full-scale defense partnership" between Tehran and Moscow, which invaded Ukraine last February, has the US worried. Tehran has acknowledged sending the drones to Russia, but insists the supplies were provided before the invasion.

The new US sanctions were imposed after Washington revealed earlier this month that Iran and Russia had a complicated relationship involving helicopters, fighter jets and drones.

Russia's representative to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, told the Security Council that the Russian military industrial complex "doesn't need anybody's help" and that the allegations about the drones have already been rejected several times.

After more than three months of civil unrest, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley claimed that Tehran's government was making "disgusting deals" with Moscow "in a desperate attempt to survive".

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According to the British Foreign Office, the attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine were carried out using drones made in Iran and provided to Russia.

Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that it would "not ask permission from anyone" before increasing ties with Russia.
According to ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani, "cooperation between Iran and Russia in various fields, including defence, is growing within the framework of common interests ... and is not directed against any third country."