Helsinki Commission hearing: witnesses say Russia has strengthened Iran’s drone, intelligence and sanctions‑evasion capabilities; Ukraine offers counter‑drone '

WASHINGTON — At a bipartisan hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission), lawmakers and outside experts warned that Russia has materially bolstered Iran’s ability to strike U.S. forces and regional partners and urged Congress to draw battlefield lessons from Ukraine.

Rep. Joe Wilson, the commission chair, opened the session saying Moscow and Tehran have cooperated for years and that recent evidence shows Russia is providing Iran with drone components, intelligence and other support that “threaten American families” and allied forces in the Gulf. Cochair Rep. Steve Cohen said the United States should move quickly to incorporate Ukrainian counter‑drone experience into U.S. defense efforts.

The hearing’s three witnesses — Elon Berman, senior vice president at the American Foreign Policy Council; Ben (Foundation for Defense of Democracies), senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies; and Aaron Zellan, the Gloria and Ken Levy Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy — described a range of transfers and cooperation they say strengthened Iran’s strike capabilities. Berman testified that Russia has supplied components for improved Shahed‑class drones, tactical advice on mass‑drone employment and intelligence that has improved Iranian targeting. Aaron Zellan said Russia provided parts to modify Shahed drones and shared targeting intelligence, noting these contributions reflect a reversal in some flows of support since the outbreak of recent hostilities.

Witnesses also described Russia’s assistance in helping Iran evade sanctions and in transferring technology and material that enabled serial domestic production of unmanned systems. Ben (FDD) said a reported multi‑billion‑dollar exchange of weaponry and transfers of cash and captured materiel had rewarded Iran’s contributions and underscored the partnership’s strategic depth. He also urged Congress to support oversight and legislation he said would promote Iranian human rights and internet freedom.

Several lawmakers asked whether Russian assistance to Iran had directly contributed to injuries and deaths among U.S. service members. Sen. Tom Tillis said the tactical changes and training Iran received “could only be explained” by mentoring from Russia; witnesses agreed that Russian technical and tactical inputs have plausibly increased the lethality of Iranian operations, though they differed on scale and direct attribution.

Panelists repeatedly pointed to Ukraine’s rapid defense‑innovation cycle as a practical resource for U.S. and allied defenses. Witnesses said Ukraine has developed affordable interceptor drones and counter‑drone tactics that have been offered to Gulf partners and, they said, to the United States. Members including Rep. Mark Veasey asked why U.S. adoption of Ukrainian offers appeared limited; witnesses replied that political and procurement factors have slowed integration but that institutionalizing Ukraine’s status as a security partner and investing in its industrial base could accelerate uptake.

The witnesses urged a mix of congressional oversight, expanded defense cooperation with Ukraine, and targeted sanctions and multilateral pressure to disrupt the Russia‑Iran axis. Among legislative items mentioned were the Freedom Act, the Iran Human Rights Internet Freedom and Accountability Act, and an "Internet Reach and Access Now" measure referenced in testimony.

The hearing recessed for House floor votes and reconvened; members closed by thanking witnesses and staff and adjourning the session.

The commission did not take any formal votes or adopt policy at the hearing; witnesses offered legislative and oversight recommendations for Congress to consider next steps.