Russia Reportedly Helps Iran Target American Troops

Russia has reportedly been feeding Iran intelligence on the whereabouts of American military forces in the Middle East, pulling a nuclear-armed power into a widening conflict.

Moscow has supplied Tehran with positional data on American warships and aircraft since fighting erupted Saturday, three U.S. officials told The Washington Post. One official characterized the assistance as appearing comprehensive. Iran’s independent capacity to track U.S. forces has deteriorated since the joint American-Israeli operation began, the officials said.

An Iranian drone struck a position in Kuwait on Sunday, killing six American service members and wounding several others. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the Post that “the Iranian regime is being absolutely crushed” but declined to address alleged Russian involvement. (RELATED: Hegseth Says Iran Military Can’t Outlast US As Conflict Carries On)

Iran’s top diplomat stopped short of denying the claims. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC Nightly News that Russia and China back Tehran “politically, and otherwise” but declined to specify whether that extends to military assistance. “I’m not going to give the details of our cooperation with other countries, right in the middle of the war,” he told the network.

Exclusive: Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to attack American forces in the Middle East, the first indication that another major U.S. adversary is participating — even indirectly — in the war. https://t.co/SfBeKxq7zC

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 6, 2026

The Kremlin offered a different account. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday that Tehran had not sought weapons deliveries from Russia, Reuters reported. That statement sits alongside a comprehensive strategic partnership the two governments signed in 2025, and years of military ties that included Iran’s transfer of Shahed attack drones to support Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Dara Massicot, a Russian military expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the Post that Iranian forces have hit American radar installations with striking accuracy. Iran operates just a few military-grade satellites, making imagery from Russia’s far superior space program extremely valuable, she said.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth waved off concerns about outside involvement, telling reporters this week that Russia and China are “not really a factor here.” Yet one official familiar with Moscow’s support told the Post that the Kremlin viewed the arrangement as a chance to return the favor after years of American military aid flowing to Ukraine.

The Pentagon and CIA declined to comment to the Post.