"Today, given that such strikes are ongoing, I would like to appeal to the people of Iran directly. To everyone - to society, to Iranian ulama [scholars], to every Iranian family, to those people who are able to influence government decisions in Iran. A simple question: why do you want to be accomplices in Russian terror? Why are you on the side of the evil state?” Zelensky said in a televised address to the people of Iran.
Iran has been accused of supplying Russia with drones for use against Ukraine, leading to a barrage of international sanctions and condemnations. Tehran said the drones it sent to Russia preceded the war in Ukraine, which broke out last February.
“The world sees what is happening, and you all in Iran see it,” Zelensky continued, adding that such actions only further isolate Iran from the world.
“Support for evil cannot be denied.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian this month once again rejected the allegations that it has supplied Russia with drones for use in its invasion of Ukraine, saying Tehran is not providing assistance to either side of the war.
Ukraine has received large amounts of military support and air defenses from its Western allies, making it difficult for Russian warplanes to target the country. Explosive drones have become a cheaper and more efficient weapon for Russia.
“Why does Iran need such cynical murders? Committed by Russia's hands, yet with your weapons. What do you, the people in Tehran, or in Shiraz, or in Saqqez, or in any other city in your country, get from this? Unfortunately, even greater isolation from the world, even greater problems,” Zelensky said.
The US, UK, and European Union have imposed several rounds of sanctions on Tehran over the use of Iranian drones in Ukraine. In November, Iran’s foreign ministry admitted that drones had been sent to Russia, but claimed the transaction had preceded the war in Ukraine which broke out in February last year.
Earlier this month, Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 21 Iranian-made drones launched from Russia.
