Russia is providing Iran with the locations of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East, three U.S. officials told the Washington Post Friday — marking the first known involvement of a second major American adversary in the week-old war.
The officials, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the intelligence, said the targeting data has flowed from Moscow to Tehran since U.S. and Israeli strikes began February 28. One described the effort as “pretty comprehensive.” Iran’s own ability to independently track American forces has degraded since the fighting started, making Russian satellite data the difference.
The pattern fits. Iran has struck command and control sites, radar systems, and temporary military structures with unusual precision. Six U.S. troops died in a drone attack in Kuwait. The CIA station at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was hit. Analysts said the accuracy of those strikes pointed to outside targeting help.
The White House did not address the Russian intelligence claim. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Iran’s military capacity is being dismantled daily. The CIA and Pentagon declined comment. The Russian Embassy did not respond.
Moscow is repaying a debt. Throughout the Ukraine war, Iran supplied Russia with Shahed drone technology used in tens of thousands of strikes against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. Iran operates only a handful of military satellites with no constellation of its own — Russian imagery filled that gap.
Two officials said China has not provided Iran military assistance despite close ties between the two governments. The full scope of Russian support remains unclear.
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