Russia sharing intel on US forces with Iran? Tehran says Moscow helping in ‘many directions’

Araghchi did not confirm whether Moscow is providing intelligence specifically aimed at identifying American military targets

• Iran says cooperation with Russia is longstanding and not secret
• No proof Russia shares US military intel with Iran
• US says Russian support hasn't changed battlefield situation

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Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said cooperation between Tehran and Moscow is “not something new” and “not a secret”, amid reports that Russia may be sharing intelligence with Iran about the location of US forces in West Asia. However, Araghchi did not confirm whether Moscow is providing intelligence specifically aimed at identifying American military targets.

Speaking in an interview with NBC News, the Iranian minister said Russia was assisting Iran in “many different directions”, though he added that he did not have detailed information about the nature of the cooperation.

In a separate appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz addressed the reports, saying President Donald Trump would respond if the claims proved accurate.

Asked whether such cooperation meant Russia had effectively entered the conflict, Waltz said Moscow and Tehran have long maintained what he described as a “symbiotic relationship”. He added that any support Russia may be providing does not appear to have significantly altered the battlefield situation.

“If they are providing anything, it certainly hasn’t been very effective,” Waltz told NBC News, arguing that US forces were severely weakening Iran’s military capabilities, including its air force, air defences, navy, ground forces and command structures.

Earlier reports said Russia had been sharing intelligence with Iran on the location of US forces in West Asia. The information could help Tehran identify the positions of American warships, radar systems and communication infrastructure.

However, the sources said there is no indication that Moscow is directly involved in planning or directing Iranian missile or drone strikes.

Iran began launching missiles and drones at US bases and other American targets in the region after the United States and Israel initiated a large-scale air campaign against the Iranian regime last Saturday.