US downplays reports Russia gave Iran intel to help Tehran strike US assets
Mar 08, 2026
Washington [US], March 8: Washington has downplayed reports that Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran about United States targets across the Middle East amid the burgeoning US-Israel war on Iran.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a CBS 60 Minutes interview on Friday, said the US is "tracking everything" and factoring it into battle plans when asked about the reports Moscow was aiding Tehran.
Since the war began on February 28, Russia has passed Iran the locations of US military assets, including warships and aircraft, three officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post.
"It does seem like it's a pretty comprehensive effort," one of the sources told the newspaper.
Meanwhile, anonymous officials told The Associated Press news agency that US intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information, as the US and Israel continue their bombardment and Iran fires retaliatory salvoes at US assets and allies in the Gulf.
Hegseth said the United States is "not concerned" about the reports, also downplaying the possibility that Russia's assistance could be putting US citizens in harm's way.
Source: Qatar Tribune
