Defense ministers of Belarus, Iran sign memorandum

June 31, BPN. The defense ministers of Belarus and Iran have signed a military cooperation memorandum and a plan of cooperation between the ministries for 2023.

Viktar Chrenin of Belarus and Mohammad Reza Ashtiani of Iran “exchanged opinions on topical issues of the international agenda” and discussed defense cooperation, the Belarusian defense ministry reported.

The meeting comes amid rumors about alleged plans by Russia to set up a plant in Belarus to assemble Iranian-designed Shahed suicide drones.

In May, a group of Iranian engineers reportedly visited AAT Homielski Radyjozavod, Ukraine’s defense ministry said citing Belarusian resistance forces. AAT Homielski Radyjozavod offers metal turning, stamping and coating services.

Last fall, Russia repeatedly attacked Ukraine from Belarusian territory with suicide drones, according to the Ukrainian military. Reports also said that Iranians were training Russians in Belarus to use the Shahed. The US Department of Defense did not confirm this information.

On June 29, the European Council condemned continued military support of Russia’s war on Ukraine by Iran and Belarus.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Alaksandar Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but said it was “not killing anyone.”

Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.