Iran’s foreign ministry said it would not “seek permission from anyone” to expand relations with Russia, dismissing US concerns over a growing military partnership between Tehran and Moscow.

Western countries have accused Iran of supplying drones to Russia, allegedly used to attack Ukraine, and slapped sanctions on Tehran, which denies the allegations.

CIA chief William Burns told PBS television on Friday the military cooperation between Iran and Russia “poses real threats” to US allies in the Middle East.

Nasser Kanani, spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, called the comments “baseless” and said they were part of a “US propaganda war against Iran”.

Tehran “acts independently in regulating its foreign relations and does not seek permission from anyone”, - Kanani said in a statement. – “Iran’s national interests dictate its policies. Cooperation between Iran and Russia in various fields including defense is expanding within the framework of common interests... and is not against any third country. US officials continue their baseless political claims and illegal actions against the Iran, questioning the conventional defense and military cooperation between Iran and Russia”.