Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia has been sharing intelligence with Iran that could be used to target U.S. forces, a claim that, if confirmed, would mark a serious escalation in the proxy dimensions of multiple regional conflicts.
Zelenskyy made the allegation in remarks to reporters and in public comments about coordination between Moscow and Tehran. He said the intelligence-sharing included data that could help attackers identify and strike U.S. military positions. The Ukrainian leader framed the issue as part of a broader pattern of cooperation between Russia and Iran on weaponry, drones and battlefield support.
U.S. officials did not immediately confirm Zelenskyy’s specific allegation. Several Western and U.S. defense sources told reporters in recent days that they were looking into the claim and that they routinely assess threats to U.S. personnel in the region. A spokesperson for the Pentagon said the department does not discuss intelligence matters publicly but that it takes all credible threats to U.S. forces seriously and adjusts force protection measures as needed.
Russia has long denied providing direct support that targets U.S. forces, and Iran likewise rejects accusations of sponsoring attacks on U.S. personnel. Both countries have acknowledged military ties with a range of partners and have been implicated by Western governments in supplying weapons, training or technologies to allied groups. Analysts say intelligence-sharing between states is a known part of modern conflict, but passing targeting data for strikes on third-country forces would raise new legal and diplomatic concerns.
The allegation comes amid heightened tensions in multiple theaters where U.S. troops are present, including the Middle East, and as the Ukraine war continues to strain Russia’s international standing. U.S. and allied officials have repeatedly warned of the dangers posed by advanced Iranian drones and other systems, some of which have appeared in conflicts beyond Iran’s borders.
NATO and Western partners are watching for corroborating evidence. Verification would likely involve signals and human intelligence and could trigger diplomatic protests, sanctions, or changes in military posture. For now, Zelenskyy’s statement adds to a growing chorus of concerns about murky cross-border cooperation among states and nonstate actors and underscores the risks faced by U.S. forces operating in volatile regions.