Russia Allegedly Providing Iran with Intelligence on US Forces in Middle East

Russia is reportedly supplying Iran with intelligence data to facilitate strikes against American military positions in the Middle East, according to a major U.S. Newspaper report from Friday, March 6.

The Washington Post, citing three unnamed sources, stated that since February 28, Moscow has transferred information to Tehran regarding the locations of several U.S. Military assets, including ships and aircraft. One source described the operation as appearing "quite large-scale."

The report suggests this indirect involvement means Russia is now a participant in the conflict being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran. The exact extent of Russian assistance in missile targeting remains unclear, but it is noted that Iran's own capabilities for locating targets have diminished since hostilities began.

This alleged cooperation stands in contrast to Moscow's official calls for an end to what it has termed an "unprovoked act of armed aggression." Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated this week that he does not view Russia or China as influential factors in the situation surrounding Iran and has no specific message for them.

Analysts point to the strategic value of Russian intelligence for Iran. Dara Massicot, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace's Russia and Eurasia Program, explained that Iran is launching "very precise strikes" against early-warning radars or over-the-horizon radar systems. "They are doing this very purposefully. They are attacking command and control centers," she added.

Iranian attacks have also targeted sites in Kuwait—where six U.S. Service members were killed—and CIA facilities within the U.S. Embassy compound in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Massicot noted that Iran possesses only a few military satellites and lacks its own satellite constellation, making data provided by Russia's Aerospace Forces extremely valuable. This is particularly true given that the Kremlin has honed its targeting skills during the war in Ukraine.