As the war between the United States, Israel and Iran deepens, new intelligence suggests Russia may be quietly inserting itself into the conflict.
Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran target American warships, aircraft and other military assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with US intelligence, the Associated Press reported.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cautioned that US intelligence has not found evidence that Moscow is directing Tehran on how to use the information. Still, the development marks the first indication that Russia may be providing operational support as fighting intensifies across the Middle East.
The United States and Israel launched a major military campaign against Iran last week, prompting retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran against US assets and allies in the Persian Gulf.
US President Donald Trump brushed aside questions about the reports during a White House event.
“What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We’re talking about something else,” Trump told Fox News reporter Peter Doocy.
Earlier, the White House also played down the significance of the reported intelligence sharing. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it had not altered the course of US military operations.
“It clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them,” she told reporters.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington was closely monitoring the situation.
“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’s “60 Minutes.” “Anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.”
Leavitt declined to say whether Trump had discussed the issue directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the president would address that question himself.
In Moscow, the Kremlin did not confirm any military or intelligence assistance to Tehran. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia remains in dialogue with Iranian leaders.
“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” Peskov said. Asked directly whether Russia had provided military or intelligence support since the war began, he declined to comment.
Russia has grown increasingly close to Iran in recent years, particularly since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. US intelligence has earlier determined that Tehran supplied Russia with Shahed attack drones and helped establish a drone production facility inside Russia.
US officials have also accused Iran of providing short-range ballistic missiles to Moscow for use in the Ukraine war.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has begun offering its experience in countering Iranian drones to US partners in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Washington and several regional governments have sought Kyiv’s expertise in defending against the Shahed drones now being used in attacks across the Gulf.
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, said Kyiv’s experience could help.
“Ukraine knows how to defend against Shahed drone attacks because our cities have faced them almost every night,” she said. “When our partners are in need, we are always ready to help.”
The developments come as the widening war raises concerns about global security and the potential involvement of additional major powers.
With inputs from Associated Press
