During a telephone conversation with President Donald Trump on Monday, Russian leadership rejected accusations that they have been sharing military intelligence with Iran.
According to Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy, the Kremlin used the call to explicitly deny any such collaboration during the ongoing conflict.
In an interview with CNBC’s “Money Movers” on Tuesday, Witkoff indicated that the US administration is currently accepting these assurances. “So, you know, we can take them at their word,” he remarked, while adding, “Let’s hope that they’re not sharing.”
The denial from Vladimir Putin was further supported by his foreign policy advisor, Yuri Ushakov, during a separate discussion on Monday morning with Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Witkoff noted that Ushakov “reiterated the same” position regarding the lack of intelligence sharing.
These high-level denials follow a Saturday report by MS Now, which cited two US officials claiming that Russia had provided Iran with data to assist in targeting American aircraft, ships, and military installations in the Middle East.
One of the sources for that report stated unequivocally that Moscow is offering “intelligence help” to Tehran. However, another official mentioned in the same article clarified that they had observed no evidence of Russia performing a “strategic or tactical combat role”.
The allegations have raised questions about the Trump administration’s decision to waive sanctions that previously prohibited Indian refineries from purchasing Russian oil.
When pressed on whether he believed Russia was providing the coordinates of US military assets, Witkoff responded that he was “not an intel officer” but confirmed the denials issued by Russian officials during the presidential call.
President Trump has reacted sharply to the claims, recently criticising a Fox News journalist for asking what he termed a “stupid question” about the matter.
Speaking at a press conference in Florida on Monday, the president stated that Putin seemed “very impressed” with the advancements the United States has achieved in the war effort.
