Two Iranian men have been charged with allegedly smuggling dozens of German-made aircraft motors to Iran to be used in its Ababil III surveillance and attack drone. Germany prohibits the export of goods to Iran that could be used for military purposes, abiding by international sanctions.

The Ababil is believed to have a maximum range of about 145 kilometers (90 miles) and can fly up to 4,300 meters (14,000 feet) high. It is primarily designed for surveillance and intelligence-gathering, although German prosecutors said it can also be used as an attack drone.