U.S. to send seized Iranian weapons to Ukraine

Last updated on October 4, 2023

The Pentagon will transfer thousands of weapons and rounds of ammunition seized from Iran and send them to Ukraine, according to a Defense Department official, a move that comes as congressional infighting threatens to delay or derail aid to Kyiv.

The transfer is aimed at helping Kyiv’s forces push through Russia’s defensive lines before winter sets. It comes as funding for Ukraine has fallen victim to political infighting in the House, where a group of hardline Republican members are opposing any additional aid to the conflict.

Lawmakers over the weekend passed a last-minute spending bill to avert a government shutdown through mid-November, but stripped the legislation of Ukraine funding.

U.S. Central Command is set to announce the move later on Wednesday, said the DOD official, who was granted anonymity to discuss sensitive plans ahead of an announcement.

CNN first reported the news of the transfer.