Russia is assisting Iran in its ongoing conflict with the United States by supplying intelligence on the locations and movements of American military assets, according to several individuals familiar with U.S. intelligence reports.
Sources said Moscow has shared information on the positioning of U.S. troops, ships and aircraft, marking the first indication that Russia may be directly supporting Iran’s war effort.
Much of the intelligence reportedly comes from imagery captured by Russia’s network of advanced surveillance satellites.
Officials have not confirmed what Russia may be receiving in exchange for the assistance, and it remains unclear whether any specific Iranian attack can be directly linked to the intelligence provided by Moscow.
Recent Iranian drone strikes have hit locations where American forces were stationed.
One such attack targeted a temporary facility housing U.S. troops in Kuwait, reportedly killing six American service members.
U.S. officials have declined to publicly comment on the intelligence reports.
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) did not respond to requests for comment, while the Kremlin and the Russian embassy in Washington have also been asked to address the allegations.
U.S. intelligence also suggests that China could be preparing to offer Iran limited assistance, including financial support, spare parts and missile components, according to sources familiar with the matter.
However, analysts say Beijing has so far remained cautious about becoming directly involved in the conflict.
China relies heavily on Iranian oil and has reportedly been urging Tehran to allow safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent disruptions to global energy supplies.
“China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it endangers their energy supply,” one source familiar with the intelligence assessment said.
Responding to reports of intelligence sharing, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon is closely monitoring communications among global powers.
“The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” Hegseth said in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes.
“Anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted strongly.”
Despite the concerns, Hegseth told reporters earlier that Russia and China were “not really a factor” in the current war with Iran.
The U.S. military campaign against Iran currently involves more than 50,000 troops, over 200 fighter jets, and two aircraft carriers, according to Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command.
Pentagon officials say the main objective of the operation is to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, which Washington believes Tehran has been using to shield the development of its nuclear programme.
Russia and Iran have strengthened military cooperation in recent years.
Tehran previously supplied Moscow with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in the war in Ukraine, while also helping establish a drone manufacturing facility inside Russia.
The latest intelligence reports suggest the growing partnership between Moscow and Tehran could further complicate an already volatile regional conflict.
