March 7, 2026, 8:32 a.mMarch 7, 2026, 8:32 a.m
The US government did not initially deny media reports that Russia was providing Iran with information about American troops and possible targets in the Middle East. When asked about this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS News that the US was watching everything. “We have the best intelligence information in the world,” he emphasized.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.Image: keystone
They know what is going on and US President Donald Trump knows how to reduce these risks. He knows who is talking to whom – “and everything that shouldn’t happen, be it publicly or behind the scenes, will be confronted and dealt with decisively,” said Hegseth.
Trump himself was also asked about the reports at an event in the White House. He initially jokingly spoke of a relatively simple problem – and shortly afterwards ironed out the question.
His spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had previously said that even if the Russians passed on information, it would make no difference with regard to the war. The US armed forces have already significantly weakened Iran.
What US media reports
The US broadcaster CNN and the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with US intelligence, that the Kremlin was providing Tehran with location information and movement data for American troops, ships and aircraft. The New York Times, citing US officials, had similar information.
“It appears to be a fairly comprehensive measure,” the Washington Post quoted one of the people as saying. According to CNN, most of the information shared is images taken using Moscow’s modern satellites.
Russia is not officially involved in the war. Moscow and Tehran have previously worked together in the armaments sector, for example Iran supplied Russia with Shahed drones at the beginning of the Ukraine war. However, military assistance or larger arms deliveries for our partner in the Middle East do not currently appear to be on the cards. In view of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian capacities are already heavily utilized. At the same time, Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin does not want to spoil relations in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are also important to Moscow. (hkl/sda/dpa)