The British Defence Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that the “hidden hand” of Russian President Vladimir Putin is behind Iranian drone attacks in the Middle East, following a drone strike on British troops at the Erbil military base, northern Iraq.
Healey told reporters that Iranian drones are now flying at lower altitudes, enhancing their effectiveness—a tactic that has previously been observed in Russian drone operations in Ukraine.
“I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics and potentially some of their capabilities as well,” he said.
This warning comes amid an escalation of attacks in the region using Iranian-made Shahed drones, following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began on February 28.
British military officials indicated that Iranian forces have adopted improved drone manoeuvring and targeting methods, resembling the techniques Russian forces have successfully employed in Ukraine.
Ukraine, which has been defending its cities and critical infrastructure from Russian Shahed drones for years, has offered to share its expertise with allies on countering these inexpensive long-range UAVs.
Healey also emphasised the broader economic impact of the conflict. He pointed out that Russia is benefiting from the surge in global oil prices caused by the U.S.-Iran war, which provides additional funding for Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine. “Putin is benefiting from sky-high oil prices at the moment, which helps him secure fresh funds for his brutal war in Ukraine,” he stated.
To stabilise global energy markets, the U.S. has already taken measures. On March 12, the Treasury Department issued a temporary license allowing countries to purchase Russian oil already in transit at sea, as tensions with Iran have pushed prices higher. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the move as a “narrowly tailored, short-term measure” that would not provide significant financial benefits to Russia, given that it primarily earns its energy revenue from taxes at the point of extraction.
The escalation in the region has also strained global energy security. Tehran’s continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that handles roughly 20% of the world’s oil, has pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel. The International Energy Agency has labelled this disruption as the largest in history, warning that prolonged instability could further drive up energy costs and inflation worldwide.
British troops and other international forces in the region remain on high alert. Recent attacks, including the strike in Erbil, highlight the increasing sophistication and coordination of Iranian UAV operations. Defence analysts suggest that the involvement of Russian expertise, combined with rising oil revenues, indicates that Moscow is benefiting indirectly from the chaos, using it to weaken Western influence in the region further.
As the war continues, experts warn that global energy markets and geopolitical stability could remain under severe strain, with potential repercussions for inflation, transportation, and international security.
