On April 21, 2026, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on counterterrorism in Africa, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz stated that the Polisario Front 'receives drones from Iran.' Cruz did not provide specific evidence or details about the type or quantity of drones. The claim was part of a broader discussion on Iranian influence in North Africa.
Iran has officially denied the allegation. A spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry called the accusation 'baseless and part of a smear campaign.' No independent verification of drone transfers has been reported by major news outlets or international organizations as of April 24, 2026.
The Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara, has long been accused of receiving support from various foreign actors. However, concrete evidence of Iranian drone supplies remains unconfirmed. The U.S. State Department has not commented on Cruz's specific claim.
