Russia has been accused of secretly helping Iran launch attacks on American military targets in the Middle East, raising fears that the growing conflict could draw in more global powers.
US officials say intelligence linked to Vladimir Putin was passed to Tehran shortly after fighting intensified between Iran and the United States. The information allegedly helped Iranian forces carry out “sophisticated” strikes on American radar systems, warships and aircraft across the region.
According to security sources, the intelligence allowed Iran to locate temporary US military facilities that its own satellites could not easily detect.
One such strike reportedly targeted a makeshift operations centre used by American troops in Kuwait, killing six US soldiers.
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Officials believe the intelligence from Moscow played a crucial role in guiding the attacks.
“It does seem like it’s a fairly comprehensive effort,” one official told the Washington Post, suggesting Russia may now be actively involved in the expanding conflict.
The allegations surfaced as Iran launched what it described as a “massive wave” of drone attacks targeting US and Israeli bases across the Gulf.
In a statement carried by the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran’s navy said it had deployed drones against American and Israeli positions in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
“The Iranian Navy targeted American bases and occupied territories with a massive wave of drone attacks,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the war continued to intensify as Israeli forces carried out new air strikes inside Iran.
Large explosions were reported at Mehrabad International Airport, one of Tehran’s busiest airports. Witnesses said multiple aircraft were engulfed in flames after the bombardment.
The Israel Defense Forces said the attacks were part of a “broad new wave of strikes” targeting the Iranian regime and its allies.
Israeli jets also struck positions linked to Hezbollah in Beirut, while Iran responded by firing missiles towards Israeli territory.
The war has now entered its second week, with Donald Trump insisting that peace negotiations will only happen if Iran accepts “unconditional surrender”.
The United States is also believed to be preparing for the possibility of a ground conflict.
A major training exercise involving the 82nd Airborne Division was cancelled on Friday, sparking speculation that the elite paratrooper unit could soon be deployed to the Middle East.
The division includes a brigade combat team of around 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers capable of rapid deployment within 18 hours.
President Trump has also suggested that the United States could work with its allies to help choose a new leader for Iran once the war ends. The remarks came after the death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed earlier in the conflict during an air strike.
Adding to the tension, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck south-western Iran near the port city of Bandar Abbas, located along the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The quake occurred early Saturday morning, according to the United States Geological Survey. It remains unclear whether the tremor caused further damage in the region.
Bandar Abbas hosts the headquarters of Iran’s naval fleet, much of which was reportedly destroyed during earlier US air strikes.
With Russia now accused of assisting Iran and the United States considering deploying troops, analysts warn that the crisis could expand into a much broader international confrontation involving several major powers.
