EU: Russia gave Iran intelligence to 'kill Americans' in Mideast
The EU's top diplomat accused Russia of providing intelligence to Iran for targeting and killing Americans in the Middle East, alongside supporting Iran with drones. The accusation calls for increased pressure on Moscow from the United States.
In March 2026, US officials confirmed that Russia has been providing Iran with targeting intelligence to attack US troops, warships, and aircraft in the Middle East amid the ongoing regional conflict that began on February 28, 2026. This intelligence sharing represents a significant escalation, described by one US official as a 'pretty comprehensive effort' that enables Iran to target US and Israeli military assets more effectively, particularly as Iran's own capabilities degraded early in the fighting. The Washington Post first reported this development, citing three officials familiar with the intelligence, with subsequent confirmations from RFE/RL and The Jerusalem Post.
US lawmakers reacted strongly to the revelations, with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen stating that 'Russia is targeting Americans in the Middle East' and criticizing the Trump administration for easing sanctions on Russia. Another lawmaker noted that it 'should not surprise us that Russia is providing Iran with targeting information to help Iran kill American and Israeli service members.' The intelligence sharing marks Russia's indirect involvement in the Middle East conflict, shifting from prior expectations that Moscow would limit itself to diplomatic support for Iran.
This development occurs against the backdrop of the 2026 Annual Threat Assessment by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which warned of expanding global risks to American security from Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea. The assessment highlighted Iran's capability to conduct lethal operations against Americans at home and abroad, with intent to pursue revenge attacks if its regime survives ongoing US-Israel offensives. Iran has already used cheap Shahed drones to kill American troops, with stockpiles numbering in the thousands.
While the original summary mentioned EU involvement, current reports focus primarily on US intelligence confirmations and congressional reactions. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has previously addressed Iran's military support to Russia in the Ukraine war context, including drones and ballistic missiles, which prompted EU sanctions on Iranian individuals and entities in 2024. However, specific EU statements about Russia-Iran intelligence cooperation targeting Americans in the Middle East are not evident in available sources. The situation has prompted US strategic shifts, including new basing considerations and intelligence compartmentalization to counter the enhanced threat environment.
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