Latvian President sounds alarm over Iran fueling Moscow’s war machine

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has warned of the growing security implications of military cooperation between Russia and the regime ruling Iran. In an interview with Fox News Digital on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Rinkēvičs stated that Iranian drone technology has been instrumental in helping Moscow wage its war in Ukraine. He noted that while Russia is modernizing these systems, the underlying design remains Iranian.

Rinkēvičs announced that Latvia has made a political decision to contribute military specialists to international operations in the Middle East. He confirmed that the Latvian parliament has approved the deployment of explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) specialists to support the U.S.-led coalition forming in the Strait of Hormuz.

Expressing skepticism regarding the prospects for diplomacy, the president remarked that engaging in negotiations with both Tehran and Moscow is extremely difficult. Regarding European security, Rinkēvičs stated that Latvia does not see evidence of an imminent Russian military invasion, though he noted that threats such as sabotage, cyberattacks, and information campaigns against the Baltic states are intensifying.

The president also emphasized that NATO must accelerate its adaptation to the evolving nature of warfare, particularly regarding the role of drones and missile technology. While welcoming increased defense spending within the alliance, Rinkēvičs cautioned that funding alone does not resolve readiness challenges, highlighting the need for more efficient procurement and delivery of military equipment.