US intelligence says Russia is sharing military intelligence with Iran

US intelligence says Russia is sharing military intelligence with Iran

Russia has begun providing Iran with intelligence about the movements and locations of American military assets, according to US officials familiar with intelligence assessments. The information reportedly includes data about US troops, naval vessels and aircraft operating in the Middle East.

Officials say some of the intelligence shared with Tehran comes from Russia’s network of military satellites, CNN has reported. Satellite imagery can provide detailed information about troop deployments, naval movements and air activity, making it highly valuable during an active conflict.

The development would mark the first clear sign that Moscow is directly assisting Iran during the ongoing war with the United States.

According to people familiar with the intelligence reporting, it is not yet clear whether any specific Iranian attack can be directly linked to Russian targeting data. However, several recent Iranian drone strikes have hit areas where American troops were located.

One such attack involved an Iranian drone striking a temporary facility used by US forces in Kuwait. The strike killed six American service members, according to earlier reports.

The Kremlin has not publicly commented on the allegations, and Russia’s embassy in Washington has also not responded to requests for clarification.

Concerns about broader support for Iran

US intelligence officials are also watching signs that China could become involved in a more limited way. According to sources familiar with the intelligence assessments, Beijing may be considering financial assistance, spare parts and missile components for Iran.

China has so far stayed out of the conflict directly. Analysts say Beijing has strong reasons to avoid escalation because it depends heavily on oil imports from the Middle East.

Chinese officials have reportedly pressed Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open so that energy shipments can continue to move through the region.

Pentagon says it is monitoring foreign involvement

Asked about the reports of intelligence sharing, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American officials are closely monitoring contacts between Iran and other countries.

“We’re tracking everything,” Hegseth said in an interview with CBS’s program 60 Minutes. He added that US leadership is aware of who is communicating with whom and that any actions affecting the conflict are being addressed.

At the same time, Hegseth suggested that Russia and China were not currently decisive factors in the war.

A deepening Russia–Iran partnership

Russia and Iran have already developed close military cooperation in recent years. Iran supplied Moscow with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles that have been used in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Iran has also helped Russia establish facilities to produce Iranian-designed drones on Russian territory. In return, Tehran has reportedly sought Russian assistance with its nuclear program and other military technologies.

The current US campaign against Iran is one of the largest American military operations in the region in years. According to the US military’s Central Command, the operation involves more than 50,000 troops, over 200 fighter aircraft and two aircraft carriers.

Pentagon officials say the objective of the campaign is to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, which US leaders argue Tehran has been using to protect and advance its nuclear program.

How long the war may continue remains unclear.