U.S. to continue imposing sanctions on Russian, Iranian arms trade: White House

The sanctions are aimed at making it harder for Iran to sell weapons such as the Iranian UAVs to Russia

The United States will continue to vigorously enforce sanctions on Russian and Iranian arms trade, the White House said, asserting that it will stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

This will make it harder for Iran to sell these weapons to Russia, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference on Monday.

There is extensive proof of Russia using Iranian drones to target military and civilian targets in Ukraine, she added.

"We'll continue to vigorously enforce U.S. sanctions on both the Russian and Iranian arms trade – that's what we'll do from here, make it harder for Iran to sell these weapons to Russia. And we'll stand with our partners throughout the region against that Iranian threat," Ms. Jean-Pierre said.

Responding to questions, she said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had warned in July that Iran was planning to sell UAVs to Russia for use against Ukraine.

"We also exposed publicly that Russia has received drones from Iran, that this was part of Russia's plan to import hundreds of Iranian UAVs of various types, and that Russian operators continue to receive training in Iran on how to use these very systems," she said.

"So, there is extensive proof of their use by Russia against both military and civilian targets there (Ukraine)," she added.