Iranian Official Claims Drone Display at UK Parliament Was ‘Politically-Motivated’ by Israel Lobby

Iran’s top diplomat has strongly condemned the display of an alleged Iranian-made drone in the British Parliament, calling it a politically motivated stunt orchestrated by pro-Israeli interests to damage Tehran’s international relations.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took to social media platform X on Sunday to reject claims that Iran had supplied drones to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict, describing the presentation as an “absurd show” and “a regrettable scene orchestrated by the Israeli lobby and its supporters.”

The controversy erupted after Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski participated in an event at the British Parliament where he presented wreckage purportedly from an Iranian drone used by Russian forces in Ukraine. The presentation was organized in cooperation with a group reportedly affiliated with U.S. and Israeli interests.

“The display of a drone in the British Parliament, falsely and maliciously attributed to Iran, is a regrettable scene orchestrated by the Israeli lobby and its supporters,” Araghchi stated in his post.

The Iranian minister suggested that the demonstration was designed to undermine improving relations between Iran and European nations. He specifically mentioned longstanding ties with Poland, implying that such provocations could damage bilateral relations between Tehran and Warsaw.

In response to the allegations, Araghchi expressed Iran’s willingness to engage in technical discussions and document exchanges to address what he characterized as fabricated claims. This offer appears aimed at countering the narrative presented in London with factual evidence.

The incident has already triggered diplomatic fallout. Following Sikorski’s presentation, Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Poland’s chargé d’affaires in Tehran, Marcin Wilczek, to formally protest the Polish minister’s statements. The summons was issued by Mahmoud Heidari, an assistant to the Iranian foreign minister and the director general of Mediterranean and Eastern European affairs.

Sikorski’s presentation on Tuesday was reportedly intended to bolster support for continued assistance to Ukraine in its defense against Russian military operations. The Polish diplomat claimed the drone evidence demonstrated Iran’s involvement in supplying military technology to Moscow.

The allegation that Iran has been providing drones and potentially other weapons systems to Russia has been a recurring point of contention in international relations since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. Western nations, particularly the United States and its European allies, have repeatedly accused Tehran of supplying Shahed drones and other military equipment to support Russian operations.

Both Iran and Russia have consistently denied these allegations. Iranian officials maintain that while defense cooperation existed between the two countries before the Ukraine conflict, Tehran has not supplied weapons for use in Ukraine.

The controversy occurs against a backdrop of increasing tensions between Iran and Western nations over various issues, including the stalled nuclear talks, regional conflicts, and human rights concerns. The drone display in the British Parliament represents another point of friction in these already strained relationships.

Military analysts note that identifying the origin of drone components with absolute certainty can be challenging, as similar technologies and parts are often used by multiple manufacturers across different countries. This technical complexity further complicates efforts to attribute specific weapons systems to particular nations.

As tensions persist, the incident highlights the intersection of military technology, international diplomacy, and the ongoing geopolitical rivalries that continue to shape the response to the Ukraine conflict.