WASHINGTON: The Wall Street Journal WSJ has reported that Russia is increasing intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing Tehran with satellite imagery and advanced drone technology to help target US forces in the region .
According to sources familiar with the matter, the technology supplied by Moscow includes components for modifying Shahed drones to improve their communication, navigation and targeting capabilities . Russia is also drawing on its experience from deploying drones in Ukraine, offering tactical advice on the number of aircraft to deploy in operations and the most suitable flight altitudes from which to launch attacks .
Western officials say Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence about US military positions in the region, including the location of warships and aircraft . Three officials familiar with the intelligence told The Washington Post that the assistance has been ongoing since the start of the conflict, with one source characterizing it as a “pretty comprehensive effort” to help Tehran target American forces .
Russia’s satellite capabilities may play a significant role in this cooperation. Iran operates only a small number of military reconnaissance satellites, limiting its ability to track naval assets and other moving targets. Russia’s intelligence network includes advanced surveillance systems capable of providing continuous optical and radar imagery, including the Kanopus-V satellite, which was re-designated “Khayyam” after being transferred for Iranian operational use .
However, according to Arab media, the authenticity of this report could not be confirmed because Russia has told US President Donald Trump that it is not sharing any intelligence with Iran .
US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff told CNBC that Russian President Vladimir Putin communicated this denial directly to President Trump. “We can take them at their word,” Witkoff said, while acknowledging he could not independently verify the denial, adding it was “a better question for the Intel people” .
Trump himself downplayed Russia’s involvement during a news conference, suggesting that if intelligence sharing was occurring, it was not proving effective. “If you take a look at what’s happened to Iran in the last week, if they’re getting information, it’s not helping them much,” Trump told reporters .
