The New York Post reports that Iran just put forth a "threatening statement" in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's claim that Russia has been using Iranian drones in its war against Ukraine. 

The threatening statement was made by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani. It was reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The not-so-subtle threat

The ministry, on its website, reports that "Kanaani has condemned the Ukrainian president’s repeated accusations and rude remarks against the Islamic Republic of Iran at the US Congress."

The ministry continues:

Kanaani said Iran has repeatedly responded to baseless accusations regarding drones leveled by Ukrainian officials against the Islamic Republic. He once again stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not supplied any military hardware to any side for use in the Ukraine war.

The ministry then quotes Kanaani as leveling a not-so-subtle threat at Zelensky.

The ministry writes:

The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also noted that Iran has always respected the territorial integrity of all countries including Ukraine and that “Mr. Zelensky had better know that Iran’s strategic patience over such unfounded accusations is not endless."

The ministry adds, "Kanaani also advised the Ukrainian president to draw a lesson from the fate of some other political leaders who contented themselves with the US support."

Zelensky's allegation

This threat from Iran comes after Zelensky's recent meeting with U.S. Congress. The purpose of the meeting was to try to secure more aid for Ukraine in its ongoing battle with Russia.

At one point in his speech, Zelensky sought to tie Russia to Iran.

"When Russia cannot reach our cities by its artillery, it tries to destroy them with missile attacks,” Zelensky said. “More than that, Russia found an ally in its genocidal policy — Iran.”

Zelensky added:

Iranian deadly drones, sent to Russia in hundreds, became a threat to our critical infrastructure. That is how one terrorist has found the other. It is just a matter of time — when they will strike against your other allies, if we do not stop them now.

It's not the first time that Zelensky has made such a claim. He had previously claimed that not only is Russia getting drones from Iran but it is "probably" paying for the drones by helping Iran's nuclear program.

Is it true?

In a new report, a Ukrainian official is quoted as claiming that Russia has obtained 1,700 Shahed kamikaze drones from Iran. The official further claimed that Russia has used about 540 of them and that Ukraine has managed to shoot most of them down before they were able to do damage.

Iran, though, continues to dispute this.