‘We’re aware’- US on report of Russia feeding Iran vital information on American troops

The United States has said it is “not concerned” by reports that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on US troop positions and movements in the Middle East.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS’s 60 Minutes on Friday that while he declined to confirm the reports, “We’re tracking everything. Our commanders are aware of everything. We have the best intelligence in the world. We’re aware of who’s talking to who.”

“We’re not concerned about that,” Hegseth added. “We mitigate it as we need to.”

Earlier, the White House also downplayed the reports, saying Russian assistance is having no effect on ongoing military operations in Iran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “It clearly is not making a difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them. We are achieving the military objectives of this operation and that is going to continue.”

The Washington Post, citing officials familiar with the intelligence, reported that Russia had allegedly provided Iran with the locations of US military assets, including ships and aircraft. Six US service members were killed in a drone attack on a US base in Kuwait on Sunday, and the CIA station in Riyadh has also come under attack.

While China does not appear to be aiding Iran’s defenses, both Moscow and Beijing have longstanding diplomatic and trade ties with Tehran, with Russia maintaining close military links. Both countries have criticized the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran.