Russia Allegedly Provides Iran with Intelligence for Targeting U.S. and Israeli Assets

Reports from U.S. and Ukrainian intelligence sources, as well as European allies, allege that Russia has provided Iran with intelligence that could be used to target both American military assets in the Middle East and critical Israeli energy infrastructure. These claims suggest an intensified military and intelligence collaboration between Russia and Iran, a relationship characterized by both nations as friendly and strengthened by mutual interests and international isolation.

Official responses from Russia have denied direct intelligence sharing for targeting, while U.S. officials have acknowledged the reports but downplayed their operational impact.

Allegations of Intelligence Sharing

U.S. Military Assets

U.S. intelligence, citing two anonymous officials familiar with the information, indicates that Russia has provided Iran with information potentially useful for striking American warships, aircraft, and other U.S. assets in the Middle East. These sources noted that U.S. intelligence has not found evidence that Russia is directing Iran on how to use this information.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy specifically claimed that Russian satellites photographed the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 20, March 23, and March 25. The base, which hosts U.S. and Saudi troops, was attacked by Iran on March 26, resulting in injuries to several American service members. Mr. Zelenskyy stated that, based on Ukraine's experience, repeated imaging of installations over several days suggests attack planning.

He also reported that an intelligence briefing indicated Russian satellites had photographed other U.S. military facilities in the Middle East and Gulf region for Iran's benefit, including the U.S.-U.K. joint military facility on Diego Garcia, Kuwait International Airport, Prince Sultan Air Base, and sites in Turkey and Qatar.

European allies have informed American diplomats that Russia is providing significant direct material assistance to Iran's war efforts, extending beyond what the United States has publicly acknowledged. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot publicly characterized the relationship between Russia and Iran as "two-way cooperation," indicating reasons to believe Russia is supporting Iran's military actions, which appear to target American interests.

The European Union's top diplomat stated that Russia is offering intelligence support to Iran to target Americans and is supplying drones for attacks on neighboring countries and U.S. military bases.

Israeli Energy Infrastructure

A source close to Ukrainian intelligence reportedly informed The Jerusalem Post that Russian intelligence provided Iran with a detailed list of 55 critical energy infrastructure targets within Israel. The identified targets were classified into three categories based on strategic importance:

• Level 1: Critical production facilities, including the Orot Rabin power station.
• Level 2: Major urban and industrial energy hubs, primarily in central Israel.
• Level 3: Local infrastructure, encompassing regional substations.

The Russian assessment reportedly described Israel's energy grid as highly isolated, not importing electricity from neighboring countries, and suggested that damage to a few central components could lead to widespread and prolonged power outages.

Official Responses

From Russia

Russian Ambassador Anatoly Viktorov stated that Russia and Israel established contacts long ago to discuss national security issues, which have been intensively maintained between relevant Russian and Israeli agencies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed ongoing dialogue with Iranian leadership but stated that no request for military assistance from Iran had been received. He refrained from commenting on whether Moscow has provided military or intelligence assistance to Tehran since the start of the conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied providing intelligence to Tehran but confirmed military equipment transfers to Iran under their long-standing alliance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, conveying condolences following recent deaths and calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities, a rejection of force, and a return to political and diplomatic efforts.

From the United States

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the intelligence sharing "clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them." She declined to specify if the President had discussed the intelligence sharing with Russian President Vladimir Putin or if Russia would face repercussions.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that the U.S. is "tracking everything" and incorporating this information into battle plans, adding that "the American people can rest assured their commander in chief is well aware of who's talking to who," and that any inappropriate actions are being "confronted and confronted strongly."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed the extent of Russia-Iran cooperation, stating it does not impede or affect U.S. operations or effectiveness.

Former President Donald Trump, during an interview, acknowledged the possibility of Russia sharing intelligence with Iran but stated that the U.S. is "doing that against them." He also claimed that U.S. forces had "knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out most of their drones. We knocked out their manufacturing of missiles and drones, largely. Within two days, it’ll be totally decimated."

Broader Context of Russia-Iran Ties

Russia and Iran maintain friendly relations, a relationship that has strengthened due to mutual international isolation and strategic interests. Iran has faced sanctions due to its nuclear program and support for groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. Russia has fortified its relationship with Iran, seeking missiles and drones for its conflict in Ukraine.

U.S. intelligence previously indicated Iran supplies Russia with attack drones and assisted in building a drone-manufacturing factory. Iran was also accused of transferring short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for its conflict in Ukraine.

A U.K. official stated that Russian-Iranian defense cooperation has expanded significantly in recent years. The U.K. assesses that Iran has transferred Shahed drones and production expertise to Moscow for use in Ukraine, which has also contributed to Iran's refinement of drone warfare capabilities.

U.S. intelligence has noted "selective cooperation" among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, driven by a shared objective of balancing U.S. efforts.

Ukrainian Perspective and Regional Implications

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed increasing concern regarding the Russia-Iran alliance, stating that the knowledge Russia has gained on the battlefields of Ukraine is being exported to the Middle East. Ukrainian officials maintain that a motive behind this intelligence transfer is twofold: to embolden Iran as a primary ally in the region and to create a new crisis in the Middle East, thereby diverting international attention and resources from the war in Ukraine.

Mr. Zelenskyy has alleged that Russia has begun providing Iran with Shahed-style drones manufactured on Russian soil, citing the discovery of "Russian components" in a drone recently downed in an unnamed Middle Eastern country.

Mr. Zelenskyy toured Gulf states, seeking defense agreements and offering Ukraine's anti-drone technology for defensive purposes, as Gulf states hosting U.S. bases have recently been targeted by Iran. He mentioned signing defense agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, involving Ukrainian technical expertise in exchange for investment in Ukrainian defense industries.

He also expressed concern that the Middle East conflict could lead to U.S. weapons being diverted from Ukraine, but stated that scheduled deliveries to Kyiv had not been disrupted.

Former President Trump rejected Ukraine’s offer of assistance with drone interception technology for Middle Eastern allies, stating, "we don’t need help."