 Belarus may purchase drones from Iran. President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and Ibrahim Raisi of Iran signed a cooperation roadmap for the years 2023 to 2026. Following talks with Tehran, the B. ITER news agency reported on Monday. The roadmap provides for comprehensive cooperation in the fields of politics, the economy, consular services, science and technology, education, culture, art, the media and tourism. Ex-Soviet state Belarus serves as a rear base for Russian troops, and Iran is accused of supplying Moscow with armed drones for use in the invasion. A charge it denies while proclaiming its neutrality in the conflict. Lukashenko is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Tehran also maintains close ties with Russia, even as it has stressed a neutral diplomatic stance in the Ukraine war. Washington has accused Iran of supplying suicide drones to Russia, and expressed alarm over a dangerous escalation in military cooperation between Tehran and Moscow. Iran, which has denied supplying drones to Russia specifically for use in Ukraine, has said it has finalized the contract to buy Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets. Belarus, a neighbour of Ukraine, has not sent soldiers to fight alongside the Russian army, but its territory has served as a rear base for troops from Moscow. Lukashenko's visit to Iran was the third ever by a Belarusian president and the first in 17 years. According to some information, Belarus may buy Shahad UAVs from Iran.