Moscow to join Middle East war? Reports suggests Russia shared intel with Iran on US military assets
This is the first sign that Russia may be giving operational support to Iran as the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify.
PTC News Desk: As the war between the US Israel and Iran sees no sign of easing, several reports have emerged indicating that Russia shared intel with Iran to help identify and target American warships, aircraft and other military assets in the region.
This is the first sign that Russia may be giving operational support to Iran as the conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify.
The latest developments come after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran on February 28. The offensive reportedly led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. In response, Tehran carried out missile and drone attacks targeting US assets and allied positions in the Persian Gulf.
In Moscow, the Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied whether it was providing military or intelligence help to Iran. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia is still in contact with Iranian leaders.
“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side and their leadership, and we will continue these discussions,” Peskov said. However, when asked directly if Russia had shared military or intelligence support since the war began, he did not give a clear answer.
Russia and Iran have grown closer in recent years, especially after Russia started its invasion of Ukraine. US intelligence has earlier said that Iran supplied Russia with Shahed drones and helped set up a drone manufacturing facility inside Russia. American officials have also accused Tehran of giving Moscow short-range ballistic missiles for use in the Ukraine war.
As the conflict escalates, Ukraine has started offering its experience in countering Iranian drones to US partners in the Middle East. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Washington and several regional governments had asked Kyiv for help in defending against Shahed drones, which are now being used in attacks across the Gulf region.