Russia is reportedly providing intelligence to Iran on the location of United States forces in the Middle East, potentially enhancing Tehran’s ability to track American military assets as tensions escalate across the region, according to media reports citing sources familiar with the matter.
The reported intelligence sharing includes satellite data and other surveillance information that could help Iran identify U.S. warships, radar installations and communication systems operating across the Middle East. Sources cited in the report said there is no indication that Moscow is directly helping Iran plan or guide missile or drone strikes.
Iran began launching missiles and drones at U.S. military bases and other American targets after the United States and Israel initiated an air campaign against Iranian-linked targets last week, further intensifying regional tensions.
Officials familiar with the matter said Russia’s decision to share intelligence with Tehran underscores the widening geopolitical implications of the conflict and could pose potential risks for American ships, aircraft and military bases deployed in the Persian Gulf and surrounding areas.
The development was first reported by NBC News, citing four individuals with knowledge of the matter.
Responding to questions about the reported Russian assistance, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said U.S. military operations against Iran and its allied networks were progressing successfully.
“The Iranian regime is being crushed. Their ballistic missile retaliation is decreasing every day, their navy is being wiped out, their production capacity is being demolished, and proxies are hardly putting up a fight,” Kelly said.
Publicly available images circulating in recent days appear to show Iranian strikes targeting radar installations, satellite dishes and communications infrastructure at U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in an interview with NBC News earlier this week, confirmed that Tehran was receiving political and other forms of support from Russia and China but declined to provide details.
“They are supporting us politically, and otherwise,” Araghchi said, adding that longstanding military cooperation between Iran and Russia “is not a secret.”
When asked whether Iran was receiving military assistance from Russia or China, Araghchi said: “I’m not going to give the details of our cooperation with other countries right in the middle of the war.”
Russia and China have both called for an immediate ceasefire as the conflict continues to draw international attention and reshape geopolitical alignments in the region.
During a Pentagon press briefing earlier this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about calls for a ceasefire from Moscow and Beijing.
“I don’t have a message for them. They’re not really a factor here,” Hegseth said.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has previously said he maintained a strong relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin and argued that Russia would not have launched its invasion of Ukraine had he remained in office.
The situation continues to evolve as military operations and diplomatic responses unfold across the Middle East. [KNT]
