TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Russia is reportedly providing intelligence to Iran to assist in its conflict against Israel and the United States. According to a source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports, Russia has supplied Iran with data regarding the locations and movements of American forces, ships, and aircraft, marking the first indication that Moscow is attempting to involve itself in the war.
Much of the intelligence shared by Russia with Iran consists of imagery from Moscow's sophisticated satellite network, according to a source cited by CNN. It remains unclear what Russia has gained in exchange for this assistance.
It is also uncertain whether Iran's recent individual attacks can be directly linked to the intelligence data sent by Russia, as first reported by the Washington Post. However, several Iranian drones have targeted locations where U.S. forces were stationed over the past few days. One Iranian drone struck an emergency facility housing U.S. forces in Kuwait on Sunday, killing six U.S. military personnel.
One source briefed on the intelligence remarked, "This shows Russia still likes Iran very much."
The U.S. also possesses intelligence indicating that China may be preparing to provide financial aid, spare parts, and missile components to Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. Beijing has so far denied any involvement in the Iran-Israel war. China is heavily dependent on Iranian oil and has reportedly pressured Tehran to ensure safe passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
"China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it endangers their energy supply," said one source familiar with the matter.
Reports of Russian assistance to Iran have been downplayed by the United States. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in an interview with CBS 60 Minutes, cited by Al Jazeera on Friday, stated that the U.S. is monitoring everything. The U.S. also incorporates these reports into its battle plans when asked about Moscow’s alleged help for Tehran.
Hegseth stated that the United States is "not concerned" about the reports. He also dismissed the possibility that Russian assistance could endanger U.S. citizens. "The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who. And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channelled, is being confronted and confronted strongly" Hegseth said.
He continued, "We’re putting the other guys in danger, and that’s our job. So we’re not concerned about that. But the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re gonna live."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also told reporters on Friday that the reports clearly make no difference in terms of military operations in Iran because the U.S. is absolutely crushing them.
Leavitt declined to say whether Trump had spoken with President Vladimir Putin regarding the intelligence exchange reports or whether he believes Russia should face consequences. She stated she would let the president speak on that matter himself.
Read: US-Israel War on Iran Destabilizes Middle East Politics
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