Iranian-made drone deployed by Russia in Ukraine contained parts made by 13 US companies

A Ukrainian intelligence assessment has found that a single Iranian-made attack drone launched by Russia contained parts made by more than a dozen US companies. The Iranian Shahed-136 drone, downed during an attack last fall, contained 40 components manufactured by 13 different American companies, according to a CNN report citing the assessment. For months, Russia has been hammering Ukraine's civilian infrastructure with waves of drone attacks, which are designed to overwhelm air defenses and demoralize the population. Though the company that built the drones, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industries Corporation (HESA), has been under US sanctions since 2008, Iran appears to be obtaining the sophisticated electronics using intermediaries. To investigate the issue, the White House last month launched an'all hands on deck' task force involving agencies from across Washington - including the departments of Defense, State, Justice, Commerce and Treasury. Part of a downed Iranian-made Shahed-136 drone launched by Russia is seen near Kupiansk, Ukraine.