ICYMI: Tehran Escalates Diplomatic Response After UANI Exposes Iran–Russia Drone Threat in UK Parliament

UANI’s role in exposing the malign military partnership between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Russia—through the acquisition and unveiling of a downed Iranian Shahed-136 drone in the Speaker’s House, UK Parliament—sparked a strong reaction from Tehran.

Following Poland's assistance to UANI in its acquisition of the Shahed-136 drone and Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski’s keynote speech at UANI’s drone event, Iran's foreign ministry summoned Poland's chargé d’affaires in Tehran on October 16, specifically condemning its cooperation with UANI. This formal diplomatic protest signaled the Iranian regime’s clear frustration at having its malign activities exposed.

Iranian State-Run Media Response

Extensive coverage in Iran’s state-run media—in both Farsi and English—highlighted the regime’s anger at UANI’s exposure of its malign activities and Tehran’s effort to manage the fallout by manipulating narratives abroad.

International Media Coverage

The Iranian regime’s summoning of Poland’s top diplomat in Tehran sparked widespread media attention across the UK and Poland, in Persian-language outlets, and internationally.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s Statement

Clearly agitated by the global media coverage of UANI’s drone display in the UK Parliament, which spotlighted the Iranian regime’s complicity in Vladimir Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement in Polish on X on Sunday, October 19, denouncing the display:

In response, UANI CEO Ambassador Mark Wallace, UANI Chairman Governor Jeb Bush, and UANI Senior Advisor Rt. Hon. Tom Tugendhat MP condemned the Iranian regime’s hypocrisy by highlighting its violent drone proliferation, sponsorship of regional terror proxies, and ongoing support for Russia’s brutal aggression in Ukraine:

Exchanges Between Polish and Iranian Foreign Ministers Continue

Sikorski also responded on X to Araghchi’s criticism of his involvement in UANI’s drone unveiling event, suggesting that a more constructive approach would have been for Iran to cease selling drones and production licenses to Russia.

Araghchi replied in Polish by doubling down on his condemnation of Sikorski’s involvement and his retaliatory comments. Strangely, Araghchi went on to invoke Iran’s historical aid to Poland during World War II—a gesture from the Shah’s era, long before the establishment of the Islamic Republic. This attempt to deflect attention from Iran’s current aggressive actions underscores the regime’s unwillingness to address its malign behavior—the subject of international concern—exposed by UANI’s work.

Shahed Drone Display at Portcullis House

The Shahed-136 drone’s impact extended beyond its initial unveiling in the Speaker’s House, as it was then exhibited in Portcullis House in the UK Parliament until Wednesday, October 22. During this period, Ruslan Stefanchuk, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada—Ukraine’s parliament—delivered a keynote speech next to the drone to senior UK parliamentarians, diplomats and special guests.

Left Image: The Shahed-136 drone in Portcullis House. Right Image: Chairman of Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk delivering a keynote speech next to the Shahed-236 drone on Wednesday October 15, 2025. 

UANI Continues to Lead the Effort to Expose Iran’s Role in Putin’s War

UANI will continue to expose Iran’s destabilizing drone proliferation and support of Putin’s war against Ukraine through public awareness campaigns, diplomatic outreach and direct engagement with policymakers across Europe.