The United Kingdom (UK) has suggested that Russia may be influencing Iran’s use of drone attacks in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, made the remark on Thursday, stating that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “hidden hand” could be behind some of the tactics employed by Iran in the war.

The conflict began after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on February 28.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to Britain’s military headquarters in Northwood near London, Healey disclosed that officials were analyzing an Iranian-made drone that struck the UK’s RAF Akrotiri air force base in Cyprus on March 1.

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According to him, investigators were examining the drone for possible foreign components.

He said the analysis would determine whether Russian or other foreign technologies were involved.

“We will update you and appropriately publish any findings from that when we’ve got them,” Healey said.

The defence secretary added that it would not be surprising if Russia had played a role in shaping Iran’s military tactics.

“But I think no one will be surprised to believe that Putin’s hidden hand is behind some of the Iranian tactics, potentially some of their capabilities as well, not least because one world leader that is benefiting from the sky-high oil prices at the moment is Putin,” he said.

Russia and Iran have maintained close strategic relations in recent years and last year agreed to cooperate in countering what they described as “common threats.”

However, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, said there was no indication that Russia was actively supporting Iran in the conflict.

Speaking on Saturday, Trump said even if such support existed, it was not significantly helping Iran.

Meanwhile, the British military’s chief of joint operations, Nick Perry, told Healey there were clear signs suggesting a connection between Moscow and Tehran in the ongoing conflict.

According to him, Iran’s deployment of drones appeared to reflect tactics learned from Russia.

He said there were “definitely” indications of links between the two countries, particularly in the operational use of drones.

Military officials said no casualties were recorded when the drone struck a hangar at RAF Akrotiri.

British warplanes also intercepted and shot down two additional drones that were heading toward the base on the same day.

In a related development, a brigadier in the British Army, Guy Foden, informed Healey that UK troops stationed at an international coalition military base in Erbil, Iraq, assisted in shooting down two Iranian drones on Wednesday.