Last year in June, Tehran launched missile strikes against a US base in Qatar after vowing to retaliate when US forces directly attacked Iran’s three main nuclear sites following weeks of threats by Trump. US officials said the missiles had been successfully intercepted and no casualties were reported.

The U.S. strike follows months of effort by the Maduro regime to secure military support from its key allies, including China, Russia, and Iran under increasing pressure from President Donald Trump over Maduro’s rule.

Iran says it is ready to hold discussions with the US after President Donald Trump said Tehran had called his administration to negotiate. Follow for live updates

The Mohajer-6, one of the models cited, is a combat drone capable of surveillance and precision strikes using guided munitions. U.S. officials say the aircraft are operated by Venezuela's military and represent a significant expansion of Iran's military footprint in the Western Hemisphere.

U.S. President Donald Trump and top Iranian officials have exchanged dueling threats as widening economic protests sweep across parts of the Islamic Republic.

The Treasury Department said the latest measures are intended to support the reimposed United Nations sanctions on Iran over its nuclear program, further squeezing the Islamic Republic. Iran has long insisted its nuclear program is peaceful.

Ukraine said the "Geran-5" bears similarities to Iran's Karrar attack drone, and uses a more powerful engine than Russia's current turbojet Shaheds.

Possible next steps for US include military strikes, sanctions and cyber attacks – key US politics stories from 11 January