Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski attended a U.S. drone exhibition featuring a Shahed‑136 recovered from Ukraine, sparking Iranian outrage.
What Is Known About the Event?
On 14 October the U.S. organization United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) staged a demonstration of a Shahed‑136 drone that had been retrieved in Ukrainian territory. The organizers said the aim was to highlight Iran’s military support to Russia. While attending, Sikorski was also commenting on recent Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace, calling the incident “tactically foolish and counter‑productive” and asserting it would only strengthen Western resolve against Moscow.
Iran Addresses Polish Representative
Following Sikorski’s participation, Mahmud Heidari, director of the Middle East and Eastern Europe department at the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called upon Marcin Wilczek to the Iranian ministry. He dismissed accusations against Iran’s drone program as “groundless” and expressed regret over the Polish minister’s presence at the London display. The note also stated that the Polish delegate, affirming Poland’s interest in maintaining proper relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, would forward Poland’s objections and position to the foreign ministry immediately.
Iran on Drones
Tehran denies supplying drones for use in Ukraine, claiming it sold only a limited number to Russia before the invasion. Western nations and Kyiv officials, however, agree that Shahed drones—designed in Iran and now produced in Russia under the name Geran—play a key role in Russian air attacks. According to the British Financial Times, the modified variant is today three times more effective.