Iran: company backed by Trump’s sons aims to sell interceptor drones to Gulf countries

New York (USA), 3 April (LaPresse/AP) – A drone manufacturer backed by President Donald Trump’s two eldest sons is seeking to sell to Gulf states at a time when they are under attack from Iran and rely on US military forces led by their father. The sales campaign by Florida-based Powerus – which last month announced a deal to bring in Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. – puts the company in a position to potentially profit from the conflict. “These countries are under enormous pressure to buy from the president’s sons so that he will do what they want,” said Richard Painter, former White House ethics counsel under President George W. Bush. “This will be the first presidential family to make a lot of money from a war, a war for which it has not obtained congressional approval.” Powerus co-founder Brett Velicovich told the Associated Press that the company is conducting sales presentations, including drone demonstrations, in several Gulf countries to show how its defensive interceptors can help them repel Iranian attacks. “Our team is conducting many demonstrations across the Middle East right now for our interceptors,” Velicovich said in a text message exchange. “We have truly incredible technology that can save lives.” Velicovich declined to name the countries or provide further details. The Trump brothers’ deal with Powerus could secure them significant shareholdings. The company denied any conflict of interest when the Trump brothers’ involvement was first announced. Velicovich emphasised the company’s determination to help the United States catch up with and overtake Chinese and Russian drone manufacturers. “We are at war, we are in an arms race, and America will lose if we don’t build quickly,” said Velicovich, an army veteran. “We should be grateful to anyone trying to invest in American manufacturing right now. This idea goes beyond politics.”