Russia sharing real-time intelligence with Iran on location of American military assets in Middle East, report says

Visuals of attack during the Iran-Israel-US war

• Russia shares US military intel with Iran in Middle East
• Iran uses Russian intel to target US assets, including CIA base
• Russia supports Iran, avoids direct military conflict involvement

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Russia has been sharing real-time intelligence with Iran on the location of American military assets in the Middle East, according to a report by the Washington Post citing three officials familiar with the matter. The information reportedly includes the positions of US warships and aircraft and is being used by Tehran to target American forces in the region.

The reported intelligence cooperation points to a widening geopolitical dimension of the conflict. The involvement of a nuclear-armed power with sophisticated surveillance capabilities on Iran’s side comes less than a week after hostilities began on February 28.

The Washington Post report said the precise extent of Russia’s targeting support remains uncertain. Officials indicated that Iran’s own capacity to track US forces independently has been weakened since the start of the conflict. Analysts quoted in the report said Russian intelligence may be helping Iran strike specific American military infrastructure, including command and control centres, radar installations and temporary operational structures.

Among the sites targeted was a CIA station located at the US Embassy in Riyadh. In a separate incident, an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait killed six American service members and left several others injured. Since the fighting began, Iran has launched thousands of one-way attack drones along with hundreds of missiles at US military bases, diplomatic missions and civilian locations.

The reported intelligence sharing contrasts with Russia’s public statements on the conflict. Moscow, which remains one of Tehran’s closest diplomatic partners, has criticised the US-Israeli campaign and described it as a breach of international law. Russia earlier termed the strikes that triggered the war an “unprovoked act of armed aggression" while President Vladimir Putin called the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a “cynical violation of all norms of human morals."

Despite the strong language, Russia has not signalled any intention to enter the conflict militarily on Iran’s behalf. If confirmed, the intelligence cooperation would represent a form of indirect involvement that falls short of direct combat while still assisting Iran’s military operations.