Latvia warns of Iran-Russia military cooperation at the UN

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said Iran’s military support for Russia is a growing security concern during remarks on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. He said Iranian drone designs and technology have already helped Russia in its war against Ukraine, and noted that Moscow has since adapted some of those systems. His comments came after reports of a wider RussiaIran cooperation plan covering areas such as nuclear energy, finance, aviation, and infrastructure. Rinkēvičs also said Latvia has approved sending military specialists to support an international effort in the Middle East, including a possible deployment to the Strait of Hormuz. He said the goal is to help stabilize the region and support energy flows, while acknowledging that diplomacy with both Tehran and Moscow remains difficult. On European security, he said Latvia does not see signs of an imminent Russian invasion, but warned that sabotage, cyberattacks, and disinformation remain serious threats. He also urged NATO to adapt more quickly to drone and missile warfare and said increased defense spending must be matched by faster procurement and delivery of equipment.