Report: Iran seeks Russia’s jet-powered upgrade of its Shahed drones for war with Israel, US

Iran has reportedly sought to acquire advanced, jet-powered Geran drones from Russia for potential use against Israel and the United States, according to the Financial Times. These drones are an evolution of Iran's Shahed technology, which Tehran initially provided to Moscow. Russia began domestic production of Shahed-based drones in 2023, developing more sophisticated versions like the Geran-4 and Geran-5, which have proven more effective at evading air defenses in Ukraine. The Geran-5, first used by Russia in January, is jet-powered, can reach speeds of up to 600 km/h, carries a 90-kilogram warhead, and features thermal cameras and AI-powered target recognition. This request signifies a reversal in the flow of drone technology, with Iran now seeking access to Russia's wartime advancements.