---
title: "Iran Requested Modernized 'Geran' Drones from Russia for Strikes on the US and Israel"
description: "The Financial Times reports that Iran requested modernized jet-powered 'Geran' drones from Russia for strikes on the US and Israel; Kyiv acknowledges a shortage of means to intercept them."
date: 2026-09-13T13:04:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/iran-requested-modernized-geran-drones-from-russia-for-strikes-on-us-and-israel
tags: [iran, russia, geran-drones, shahed, israel, united-states, military, drones]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Iran Requested Modernized 'Geran' Drones from Russia for Strikes on the US and Israel

![Soldiers in front of a map of Iran with missiles and Geranium drones for strikes on the US and Israel](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/13/iran-zaprosil-u-rossii-gerani-dlya-udarov-po-ssha-i-izraelu/iran-zaprosil-u-rossii-gerani-dlya-udarov-po-ssha-i-izraelu-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- According to the FT, Iran in 2026 requested modern 'Gerans' from Russia for possible use against the US and Israel.
- The jet-powered 'Geran-5' reaches 600 km/h, carries up to 90 kg of warhead, and flies up to 1,000 km; newer versions are equipped with thermal imagers and AI guidance.
- Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine does not yet have enough interception means, but 60+ companies are developing solutions.
- The GUR claims that Russia has ceased production of jet-powered suicide drones and will not release the 'Geran-3', which contradicts the FT's version.

According to the Financial Times, citing Western security officials and a source close to the Kremlin, Iran in 2026 approached Moscow with a request to provide modern versions of the 'Geran' strike drones. According to the publication's sources, Russia's capabilities in the drone field have grown substantially in recent years, and it is precisely these upgraded machines that Tehran intends to use in a potential conflict against Israel and the United States. This refers to the Russian version of the drones, which Moscow began producing in series in 2023 based on the Iranian 'Shaheds' — since then, the design and technical specifications of the aircraft have changed noticeably.

### From 'Shahed' to 'Geran': the evolution of the design

The first-generation 'Geran-1' is capable of carrying a warhead of up to 20 kg and reaching a top speed of about 185 km/h — parameters close to the original Iranian prototype. The 'Geran-5' with a jet engine is significantly more powerful: according to reports, Russia first deployed this model in January 2026. It can accelerate to 600 km/h, carry a warhead weighing up to 90 kg, and travel up to 1,000 km. The changes concern not only flight characteristics: the 'Geran-4' received a more aerodynamic nose section, while the 'Geran-5' design already resembles a cruise missile more than a classic 'Shahed.'

### Jet engines and artificial intelligence

The modernization also affected the guidance systems. If early 'Gerans' had relatively simple control systems, then newer versions, according to the FT, are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and AI-based guidance systems. This makes them substantially harder to counter than the first models, which Russia began producing after receiving the Iranian technological base. A key factor was the installation of jet engines on the strike drones: the aircraft became much faster and harder to intercept, which changes the balance in the confrontation with air defense systems.

### Kyiv's statements and the interception problem

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the country does not yet have a sufficient number of means to destroy the new fast drones, however, according to him, more than 60 companies are already developing corresponding solutions. This confirms that intercepting jet-powered 'Gerans' remains one of the acute technological challenges for the parties facing these aircraft.

### Contradictory data

The version of mass production and deployment of jet-powered 'Gerans', as presented by the FT and Western sources, conflicts with the statements of Ukrainian intelligence. According to data from the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR), published in open sources, Russia has, on the contrary, ceased production of jet-powered suicide drones and will not produce the 'Geran-3' drones. Thus, one side claims the expansion and modernization of the jet-powered line and its transfer at Tehran's request, while the other claims the winding down of the corresponding production. The difference in assessments may be linked to the fact that 'jet-powered models' in different sources refer to different modifications (for example, 'Geran-3' versus 'Geran-5'), however a direct contradiction regarding the current status of jet-powered drone production remains and requires additional verification.

Regardless of the discrepancies in the details, the very fact of Iran's request to Russia for advanced strike drones, if confirmed, indicates that the technological exchange between the two countries is moving in the reverse direction: now Moscow may act as a supplier of improved versions of what was originally an Iranian development.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Iran asked Russia for 'Gerans' for the war against Israel and the US, - FT](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/iran-poprosiv-rosiyi-gerani-viyni-proti-izrayilyu-1789304539.html) - Пересказ материала FT: Иран запросил у России «Герани» для применения против Израиля и США.
- [Financial Times: Iran asked Russia for jet-powered drones](https://caliber.az/post/financial-times-iran-poprosil-u-rossii-reaktivnye-drony) - Подтверждает запрос Ирана на реактивные дроны по данным FT.
- [Iran requests jet-powered 'Shaheds' from Russia for strikes on the US](https://www.dialog.ua/world/iran-prosit-u-rossii-reaktivnye-shakhedy-dlya-udarov-po-ssha.html) - Подтверждает запрос на реактивные ударные дроны для ударов по США.
- [Russia will not produce 'Geran-3' drones: GUR spoke about the enemy's plans](https://www.unian.net/weapons/geran-3-v-gur-zayavili-chto-rossiya-prekratila-proizvodstvo-reaktivnyh-dronov-kamikadze-13467357.html) - ГУР утверждает о прекращении Россией производства реактивных дронов-камикадзе и отказе от «Герань-3», что противоречит версии FT о расширении реактивной линейки.

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: What is the 'Geran' and how is it related to the 'Shahed'?
**A:** The 'Geran' is the Russian version of a strike drone, which Moscow began producing in 2023 based on the Iranian 'Shaheds'. Since then, the design and specifications have been substantially refined.

### Q: How does the 'Geran-5' differ from the 'Geran-1'?
**A:** The 'Geran-1' carries up to 20 kg of warhead and flies at a speed of about 185 km/h. The 'Geran-5' is equipped with a jet engine, reaches 600 km/h, carries up to 90 kg of warhead, and travels up to 1,000 km; its design is closer to a cruise missile.

### Q: Why does Iran need Russian 'Gerans'?
**A:** According to the FT, Tehran wants to use the modernized drones in a war against Israel and the US, since the Russian versions are faster and harder to intercept than the original Iranian models.

### Q: Are there contradictions in the data on production?
**A:** Yes. The FT and Western sources speak of the expansion and deployment of jet-powered 'Gerans', while the GUR claims that Russia has ceased production of jet-powered suicide drones and will not release the 'Geran-3'.