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By Peter Aitken and Gabe Whisnant
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The White House on Friday sought to play down reports that Russia is 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.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the alleged intelligence sharing “is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran,” adding that U.S. forces are “completely decimating them,” while declining to say whether President Donald Trump has discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether Washington would pursue repercussions.
Later Friday, Trump was asked by Fox News' Peter Doocy about Russia helping Iran during a roundtable discussion about the future of college sports.
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The president replied, "That's an easy problem compared to what we're doing here. Can I be honest? I have a lot of respect for you; you've always been very nice to me. What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time."
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.
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.
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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.
Details about the U.S. intelligence were first reported by The Washington Post.
The disclosures mark the first indication that Russia may be seeking a more active role in the conflict launched by the United States and Israel last week, even as the Kremlin denied providing military assistance and said it remains in dialogue with Iran.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has received no request for military assistance from Iran, but that the two nations will "certainly continue this dialogue."
Russian state news agency TASS on Friday then reported that Putin had spoken over the phone with his Iranian counterpart President Masoud Pezeshkian, during which they agreed to "continue contact," marking the official first presidential contact between the two nations since the war in Iran started.
Iranian state news agency Fars said Putin had expressed condolences for the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei while stressing "the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the Middle East and a return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement as soon as possible," CNN reported.
Pushed on whether Moscow has provided any military or intelligence assistance to Tehran since the Iran war’s start, he refrained from comment.
The war could greatly benefit Russia, after all, as Putin looks to benefit from the skyrocketing oil prices to raise more funds for his own campaign and pulling resources and attention away from Ukraine as the U.S. supports Israel.
How Many US Soldiers Have Died in the Iran War?
So far six U.S. service members have been killed in the Iran conflict, with the most recent death reported on March 2. U.S. Central Command also said that the remains of the two previously unaccounted‑for service members were recently recovered from a facility struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region.
The military did not disclose where the deaths occurred and said the service members’ identities will be withheld until 24 hours after their families are notified.
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.”
Is China Involved in Iran War?
Thus far, China has not taken a direct hand in the conflict, with some analysts puzzled that China has not raised a finger to help its a key Mideast ally.
The nation's Communist Party delegates this week are meeting in Beijing to discuss the plan for the economy as it battles low consumption and prolonged property crisis and debt. For the first time in decades, the government lowered its expectations for economic growth, according to the Associated Press.
What People Are Saying
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."
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."
Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson, on X: "OK, MAGA. Russia is giving Iran intelligence to help target American forces. Ukraine is offering to help defend American troops from Iranian drones. So tell me again: which one is the “enemy,” and which one is the ally?"
Russian political activist and former chess champion Garry Kasparov, on X: "Russia is helping Iran target and kill American soldiers. It shouldn’t be a surprise when your enemy acts like your enemy. I eagerly await hearing from Trump how this is Zelenskyy‘s fault."
Former U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, on X in part: "It’s not complicated. Russia is helping Iran target and kill American service men and women. Ukraine is offering to help defend Americans risking their lives. Somebody needs to walk into the Oval Office and tell the President what he needs to hear — the difference between friends and foes. When your back is against the wall and the chips are down, you find out who shows up to help and who stabs you in the back."
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
Update 3/6/26, 5:02 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 3/6/26, 3:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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