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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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President Donald Trump on Saturday waved off reports that Russia has been sharing intelligence with Iran to help target U.S. military personnel and assets in the Middle East, calling the alleged assistance ineffective as a week-old war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran continues to rattle global markets and draw bipartisan concern in Washington.
The White House dismissed reports on Friday that Russia was sharing intelligence with Iran that could help Tehran target U.S. military assets in the region, saying the information has had no impact on American operations.
Why It Matters
The Iranian-Russian partnership has grown stronger over the course of the past few years as Iran provided much-needed assistance to Russia during the latter's invasion of Ukraine by supplying Iranian-designed "kamikaze" drones that have bolstered the Russian air campaign. Iran has also helped Russia localize and scale up drone production inside its own territory.
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In return, Russia has included Iran in the expanded membership push by the BRICS group of nations—of which Russia is a founding member—and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which have helped alleviate the pressure of Western sanctions on the Mideast nation.
Moscow and Tehran formalized this alignment in early 2025 by signing a “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty that expanded cooperation in military affairs, trade and technology.
What To Know
U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments told the Associated Press that Russia has provided Iran with information that could help it strike U.S. warships, aircraft, and other assets — though they cautioned there is no evidence Moscow is directing how Tehran should use it. The disclosures, first reported by The Washington Post, represent the first indication Russia may be seeking a more active role in the conflict.
Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One as he traveled to Miami, stopped short of confirming the reports but dismissed their significance. "If you take a look at what's happened to Iran in the last week, if they're getting information, it's not helping them much," he said. When asked whether Russian assistance would affect his view of the bilateral relationship, Trump drew a comparison to U.S. intelligence support for Ukraine: "They'd say we do it against them. Wouldn't they say that we do it against them?"
The White House had sought to get ahead of the story on Friday, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the alleged sharing "is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran" and that U.S. forces are "completely decimating them." She declined to say whether Trump had raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether Washington would pursue repercussions.
The Kremlin denied providing military assistance, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Russia received no request for help from Iran. Russian state media reported Friday that Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which Putin called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and a return to diplomatic settlement — the first confirmed presidential contact between the two nations since the war began.
The Iran-Russia alliance has deepened significantly in recent years. Iran supplied Russia with "kamikaze" drones used in its campaign against Ukraine and helped Moscow scale up drone production domestically. In return, Russia backed Iran's inclusion in the BRICS group and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The two nations formalized their alignment in early 2025 by signing a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty.
Trump's remarks came hours after he attended a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base for six Army reservists killed in a drone strike in Kuwait — an attack that occurred the day after the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth this week estimated the war could last as long as eight weeks, the longest estimate offered by the administration.
How Long Will the Iran War Last?
Estimates for the length of the war have varied, but U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth this week said the war could last as long as eight weeks - the longest estimate offered by the Trump administration so far.
However, Hegseth said broadly that the U.S. will "set the timeline led by the command on the ground," adding that U.S. operations would continue “as long as it takes” to meet American objectives. Hegseth said U.S. weapons stockpiles remain sufficient and described U.S. resolve as “ironclad.”
What People Are Saying
Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, a Republican, on X: "I have long warned that Russia and Iran are locked in an unholy alliance; you cannot bifurcate the two. Iran armed Russia with lethal drones to massacre Ukrainians, and now Putin is reportedly returning the favor by providing Iran with intelligence meant to help target and kill Americans. Once again, Putin is making clear that he has no respect for President Trump's sincere efforts to secure peace in Ukraine or elsewhere."
Representative Ted Lieu of California, a Democrat, on X: "Dear [Press Secretary Leavitt]: You need to apologize for your ludicrous statement. Why won’t you condemn Russia for helping Iran?"
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, a Democrat, on X: "So Iran now has, perhaps for the first time, information about the location of our most sensitive covert sites in the region. A completely foreseeable, unnecessary consequence of unnecessary war with Iran."
Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, a Republican, on X: "War criminal Putin is killing Americans by providing Iran intel. Russia must be held accountable for mass chaos and death."
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What Happens Next
The temporary U.S. waiver allowing India to purchase Russian crude oil expires April 4, and the administration will face mounting pressure to clarify its Russia policy as the conflict continues. Bipartisan congressional criticism is likely to intensify if oil prices — already surging due to disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz — remain elevated.
Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.
Update 3/7/26, 9:33 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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