WASHINGTON, D.C. — Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence on the locations and movements of American troops, ships, and aircraft, according to several people familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments, marking the first indication that Moscow may be directly assisting Tehran during the ongoing conflict with the United States.
Officials briefed on the matter said much of the intelligence shared with Iran has come from Russia’s network of overhead satellites, giving Tehran access to high-resolution imagery and surveillance data about U.S. military deployments.
The intelligence reportedly includes information on troop locations, naval movements, and aircraft activity across the region. It remains unclear what Moscow is receiving in exchange for the assistance.
Both the Kremlin and the Russian Embassy in Washington were contacted for comment, but have not publicly responded to the allegations.
While U.S. officials say the intelligence sharing has been detected, they have not confirmed whether any specific Iranian strike was directly enabled by Russian targeting data.
Recent attacks by Iranian drones, however, have struck areas where U.S. troops were stationed. On Sunday, an Iranian drone hit a makeshift facility housing American forces in Kuwait, killing six U.S. service members, according to reporting by CNN.
One source briefed on the intelligence assessment described the development as evidence of continued strategic alignment between Moscow and Tehran, saying it “shows Russia still likes Iran very much.”
Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence agencies are also monitoring possible support from China. According to three people familiar with the matter, Beijing may be preparing to provide Iran with financial assistance, spare parts, and missile components.
China has so far avoided direct involvement in the conflict, but analysts say the country has significant economic interests tied to Iran, particularly energy supplies.
Beijing remains heavily dependent on Iranian oil imports and has reportedly been urging Tehran to allow safe passage for international vessels through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil.
“China is more cautious in its support,” one source familiar with the intelligence said. “It wants the war to end because it endangers their energy supply.”
The Central Intelligence Agency declined to comment on the intelligence findings, while the Chinese Embassy in Washington has also been asked for clarification regarding the reports.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the issue in an interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, saying the U.S. government is closely monitoring foreign involvement in the conflict.
“We’re tracking everything,” Hegseth said. “The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who.”
Despite the concerns, Hegseth told reporters earlier this week that Russia and China are “not really a factor” in the conflict with Iran.
Russia and Iran have significantly strengthened military cooperation in recent years.
Tehran has supplied Moscow with Shahed drones and short-range ballistic missiles used in the war in Ukraine, while Russia has assisted Iran with drone manufacturing and other military technologies.
According to the United States Central Command, the current U.S. military operation against Iran involves more than 50,000 troops, over 200 fighter jets, and two aircraft carriers deployed across the region.
Pentagon officials say the central objective of the campaign is to eliminate Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, which Washington argues Tehran has used as a protective shield while advancing its nuclear program.
