The US downplayed the importance of reports that Russia shared intelligence with Iran about US targets across the Middle East amid escalating US-Iran conflict.
In an interview with CBS 60 Minutes on March 6, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said that Washington is "watching everything" and calculating that into combat plans when asked about information that Moscow is supporting Tehran.
Since the conflict broke out on February 28, Russia has transferred intelligence to Iran about the location of US military assets, including the location of US warships and aircraft, 3 unnamed officials revealed to the Washington Post. "This seems to be a fairly comprehensive effort," a source said.
Meanwhile, other unnamed officials shared that US intelligence has not detected Russia instructing Iran on how to use that information.
Secretary Hegseth said that the US is not concerned about these reports. "We are not concerned about that. We will minimize risks when necessary," he said.
He also downplayed the possibility that Russia's support could endanger US citizens. "The American people can rest assured that their commander-in-chief fully understands who is in contact with whom. Anything that should not happen, whether publicly or through backstage channels, we are dealing with and handling strongly," Mr. Hegseth said.
According to the US Secretary of War: "At this time, the only people to worry about are the Iranians who think they can still survive.
On March 6, when asked about the above information, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also emphasized that the news reports "clearly did not make any difference to military operations in Iran".
Ms. Leavitt declined to say whether President Donald Trump would discuss with Russian President Vladimir Putin about sharing intelligence information published in the press.
This intelligence information is the first sign of Russia's involvement in the conflict launched by the US and Israel against Iran exactly 1 week ago.
When asked whether Russia would go beyond political support and provide military aid to Iran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there was no such request from Tehran.
We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue," Dmitry Peskov said.
When asked if Moscow has provided any military or intelligence aid to Tehran since the fighting broke out, the Kremlin spokesman declined to comment.
