Iran does not recognize the annexed territories of Ukraine, including Crimea and the so-called LPR and DPR, as Russian. This was stated by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian in an interview with the Turkish TV channel TRT World.
According to him, Iran recognizes the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries within the framework of international law. It is for this reason that "despite the excellent relations between Tehran and Moscow," Iran did not recognize the secession of Crimea, Lugansk and Donetsk from Ukraine, the minister stressed.
In October 2022, AP, citing a correspondent at the White House, reported that Iranian troops are present in Crimea and support the work of Shahed-136 drones. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Iran sent "relatively small numbers" of personnel there. The Iranian military, he said, is engaged in briefing and technical support, while piloting drones lies with the Russians. Also during the war in Ukraine, Iran supplied drones to Russia without officially recognizing this. The EU imposed sanctions against the Iranian company Shahed Aviation Industries for the supply of UAVs to Russia.