Russia is providingIranwith real-time targeting intelligence on American military assets in theMiddle East, potentially helping Tehran attack US forces during the ongoing conflict, according to a report by The Washington Post citing officials familiar with the matter. The report claimed that Moscow has been sharing information on the locations of US warships, aircraft, and other military assets since the war began on Saturday. Three officials familiar with the intelligence told The Washington Post that the information could help Iran target American forces across the region. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Officials said the full extent of Russia’s targeting support remains unclear. However, they noted that Iran’s own ability to track US forces had been degraded in the early days of the war. The assistance marks the first reported indication that another major US adversary may be indirectly involved in the conflict, which has rapidly escalated across the Middle East.
“It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort,” one of the officials told The Washington Post.
Analysts say the reported intelligence sharing could help explain the precision of some Iranian strikes on US-linked targets. Since the conflict began, Iran has launched thousands of one-way attack drones and hundreds of missiles toward US military positions, embassies and other targets across the region.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently addressed the issue in a brief exchange during an NBC News interview when asked directly if Russia and China were helping Iran in the conflict.
When the NBC interviewer asked, “Are Russia and China actively helping you in this war?” Araghchi replied, “They have always helped us.” When pressed further — “Does that mean yes?” — he declined to elaborate, responding, “I am not going to give details in the middle of a war.”
Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin had condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a “cynical violation of all norms of human morals.” China had also expressed strong concern over the escalating conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar that “force cannot truly solve problems” and urged all sides to avoid further escalation.
Therafter, Moscow and Beijing jointly requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as the conflict intensified. However, despite the sharp criticism of Washington and Tel Aviv, neither Russia nor China has indicated a willingness to intervene militarily in support of Iran.
Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon as the US apparently struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea, intensifying its campaign targeting the Islamic Republic's fleet of warships. Iran launched new retaliatory attacks early Friday against neighbouring countries that host US forces. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The latest strikes mark a full week of attacks affecting countries across the Middle East.
Ananya is a journalist with a strong grounding in breaking news and a deep-rooted passion for geopolitics. She has 6 years of experience in TV and Dig...View More
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