Vladimir Putin risks direct conflict with American troops as Russia sends barrage of drones to Iran

Vladimir Putin is set to begin sending supplies to Iran in a bid to bolster the Islamic Republic's war effort against the US and Israel.

Western intelligence services have claimed Russia held secretive talks with Tehran to discuss drone supplies shortly after the the conflict erupted on February 28, the Financial Times has reported.

Over the past few weeks, Moscow has provided the Middle Eastern country with intelligence, satellite imagery and targeting data.

However, the supply of drones would be the first instance of Russia directly handing the Islamic Republic lethal weaponry in the war. ****

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And it could set up direct Russian attacks on American forces, with the US said to be considering whether to send the 82nd Airborne Division to seize Kharg Island.

The elite paratrooper unit, dubbed the "Immediate Response Force" and renowned for its parachute assault capabilities, could furnish approximately 3,000 soldiers for a potential operation to seize the island, according to the New York Times.

The strategic Iranian facility handles nine-tenths of the country's petroleum exports, making it a critical target.

So far, the White House has downplayed reports of a ground offensive - while Moscow has insisted it has not been helping Iran in the conflict so far.

Security officials told the Financial Times that Russia would only be able to supply a handful of different types of drones, including the Geran-2 and the so-called "kamikaze" Shahed-136 models.

When probed about the potential supply of aircraft, Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov refused to confirm or deny the reports.

He said: "There are a lot of fakes going around right now.

"One thing is true - we are continuing our dialogue with the Iranian leadership."

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's intelligence services had "irrefutable" evidence that Moscow has already handed the Iranians vital intelligence.

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He also revealed many of the unmanned aircraft being deployed by the Islamic Republic to target US military assets contained Russian components.

The Ukrainian leader went on to claim the Kremlin was attempting to "blackmail" Washington by offering to stop handing intelligence to Tehran in exchange for the US blocking off Kyiv from its intelligence data.

Mr Zelensky said: "I have reports from our intelligence services showing that Russia is doing this and saying: 'I will not pass on intelligence to Iran if America stops passing intelligence to Ukraine'.

"Isn't that blackmail? Absolutely."

Reports of Moscow's supply of lethal aid comes as Iran insisted that no peace talks have been held with the US to bring the conflict to an end.

Iranian state media outlet, Press TV, has claimed the Islamic Republic has rejected a US ceasefire proposal.

The state-run outlet quoted an anonymous regime official as saying: "Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its own conditions are met.

"No negotiations have happened with the enemy until now, and we do not plan on any negotiations."

Meanwhile, White House press chief Karoline Leavitt has insisted Washington is engaging in dialogue with Tehran despite the regime's denial.

She told reporters on Wednesday: "Talks continue. They are productive, as the President said on Monday, and they continue to be."

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