Russia Supplies Intelligence and Drones to Iran During US War

The Federal Government of Russia provided Iran with comprehensive intelligence, including satellite imagery and location data on U.S. warships and aircraft, during the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign known as Operation Epic Fury. This support began shortly after the conflict started on February 28, 2026. The intelligence reportedly enabled Iran to strike U.S. assets, including a March 1 drone attack at the Port of Shuaiba in Kuwait that killed six U.S. service members. By late March, Russia escalated its support by shipping Geran-2 kamikaze drones and humanitarian aid to Tehran.

President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth initially downplayed the impact of Russian interference, with the White House asserting that U.S. forces were decimating the Iranian regime. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later accused Russia of using this intelligence sharing to blackmail the U.S., alleging Moscow offered to stop aiding Iran if Washington ceased intelligence support for Kyiv. By late March, the U.S. reported a 90% reduction in Iranian drone launches, though Iran successfully downed a U.S. F-18 fighter jet on March 25.

Russia consistently denied providing military assistance, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov calling such reports fakes. Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed a strong partnership with Moscow. In response to the drone threats, Ukraine deployed interception experts to the Persian Gulf to assist U.S. allies. President Trump eventually paused strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days in late March to facilitate settlement negotiations.