Russia is shipping drone components to Iran via the Caspian Sea, according to U.S. officials. Previously, Iran had provided drones and components to Russia using the Caspian Sea route. In August 2025, the Ukrainian military claimed to have sunk a vessel owned by Russian shipping company MG-Flot that was transporting Shahed drone components from Iran to the Russian port of Olya in the northwest corner of the sea. Iran also imports other goods, including food and agricultural products, from Russia through four ports on Iran's Caspian Sea coast. Israel struck a naval command center at the Iranian port of Bandar Anzali in March.