13.03.2026 09:23
U.S. intelligence reported that Russia shared information that could help Iran strike U.S. military targets. While the White House claimed that these reports did not affect operations, the Kremlin denied allegations of providing military assistance to Iran.
U.S. intelligence officials close to the matter claimed that Russia has provided intelligence to Iran regarding American warships, fighter jets, and other military platforms in the region. According to a report by Defense News, this information is said to be capable of helping Iran identify U.S. targets.
According to the news, officials with knowledge of the matter made assessments on the condition of anonymity due to their lack of authorization to speak publicly. U.S. intelligence has not yet found any evidence that Russia has provided direct guidance on how this information should be used, only that it has given information to Iran.
DID THEY GET INVOLVED IN THE WAR?
According to officials, this development is seen as one of the first signs that Russia is trying to indirectly get involved in the conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.
Russia is among the countries that maintain relations with Iran, which has long faced international pressure and sanctions due to its nuclear program and support for groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis in the Middle East.
WHITE HOUSE RESPONDS
The White House argued that the reports of Russia providing intelligence to Iran do not make a significant difference in terms of military operations. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, "This situation clearly makes no difference in military operations in Iran because we are completely destroying them."
Leavitt also refused to comment on whether U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the intelligence sharing with Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether Russia would face any sanctions as a result. The spokesperson said that Trump would make the assessment on this matter directly.
According to U.S. Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, Russian officials denied the allegations of intelligence sharing with Iran.
KREMLIN: NO SUCH REQUEST HAS COME FROM TEHRAN
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking to The Washington Post, also responded to the question of whether Russia would provide military assistance to Iran beyond political support. Peskov stated that no such request has come from Tehran, saying, "We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and we will definitely continue this dialogue."
The U.S. administration had previously disclosed intelligence findings that Iran provided attack drones to Russia and assisted in establishing a drone production facility for the Kremlin. The former U.S. administration also accused Iran of sending short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine war.