The United States believes that Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence on the locations of American troops stationed across the Middle East, including aircraft and naval vessels, according to two people familiar with the intelligence.
The alleged assistance, first reported by The Washington Post, has raised concerns among U.S. officials because such information could allow Iran to target specific locations with ballistic missiles and drones. If confirmed, the intelligence sharing could place American service members operating in the region at greater risk.
When asked about the situation, a U.S. intelligence official confirmed that Washington believes Moscow has been providing Tehran with intelligence. However, the official did not specify exactly what type of information was being shared.
White House Response
The White House did not deny the report when questioned on Friday. Instead, officials emphasized that the alleged intelligence sharing has not affected the progress of U.S. military operations.
“It clearly is not making a difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday.
U.S. defense officials speak during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C
Leavitt added that the United States is continuing to achieve the objectives of its current military campaign. According to her remarks, U.S. forces have destroyed around 30 ships and significantly weakened Iran’s ability to launch ballistic missiles.
“And that is going to continue because the United States military is the best and most, most lethal fighting force in the world,” she said.
U.S. Casualties in the Conflict
Despite the administration’s claims of progress, the conflict has resulted in casualties among U.S. troops stationed in the region.
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that Maj. Jeffrey R. O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, were killed on Saturday in Kuwait during an Iranian drone attack.
Earlier, on March 1, six U.S. service members were killed when Iranian drones targeted a base in Kuwait. At least 10 additional American troops have been severely wounded during operations across the Middle East, according to U.S. Central Command.
