The British government is investigating allegations that British universities were working with Iran on technologies used to build drones, despite a legal ban in place.

Iran is accused of supporting Russia in its war against Ukraine by supplying it with drones.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was asked in parliament today about this issue, on the occasion of a recent article in the Jewish Chronicle newspaper.

“We take very seriously all allegations of export control violations, and I understand that Commerce Department officials are currently investigating the allegations made” in that article, he said.

“We will not tolerate partnerships that undermine our national security,” Sunak added, referring to the increased scrutiny surrounding university partnerships in the technology sector.

At least eleven universities, including those in Cambridge and Glasgow, were allegedly involved in studies that could have military applications in Iran, according to the report. Citing analyzes of thousands of articles published in scientific reviews after 2017, the Jewish Chronicle wrote that British researchers worked to improve the speed and range of drones. Another university has teamed up with Iranian scientists to test new drone control systems, with the aim of improving their response time in “military applications”.

Britain bans the export of military technology to Iran and has imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and organizations accused of supplying Russia with drones for use in Ukraine. According to the US, Russia has received “hundreds” of Iranian drones that were recently used “for attacks in Kiev and to terrorize the Ukrainian population”.

The British universities reported by the paper say they respect their academic and legal obligations in their international collaborations.