Russia is providing Iran with critical targeting intelligence, including the locations of American warships and aircraft, to strike U.S. forces in the Middle East, the Washington Post reported. 

The assistance marks the first indication of a major U.S. adversary indirectly participating in the rapidly expanding conflict. Since the war began, Iran has utilized this data to execute precise strikes against U.S. command and control infrastructure and early-warning radars. Recent attacks include a drone strike in Kuwait that killed six U.S. service members and the destruction of the CIA station at the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh.

With Iran’s own targeting capabilities degraded, Russia’s advanced satellite imagery has proven highly valuable. Officials suggest Moscow’s involvement is retaliation for U.S. support of Ukraine.

The White House maintains that the Iranian regime is being “crushed,” while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Russia’s involvement as a non-factor. China does not appear to be providing military assistance to Tehran.

Read more at the Washington Post.