(JNS) The United States backed statements by France and Britain to the effect that Iran’s sale of so-called “suicide drones” to Russia for use against Ukraine violated a binding United Nations Security Council Resolution.

According to Ukraine, Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones have been used by Russia to assault its cities and energy infrastructure in recent days in waves of deadly strikes. The U.S. has described Russia’s actions as war crimes.

During a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said, “It is our belief that these UAVs that were transferred from Iran to Russia and used by Russia in Ukraine are among the weapons that would remain embargoed under [United Nations Resolution] 2231.”

Iran has denied sending the UAVs to Russia, but Patel said that the United States “exposed publicly that Russia has received drones from Iran.”