Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the US president, has called on Moscow to refrain from providing intelligence to Iran in light of ongoing military strikes by American and Israeli forces. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Witkoff confirmed he had made this request to Russian officials.
When questioned about whether he had asked Russia to withhold assistance from Iran, Witkoff stated, “I made that clear.” He expressed hope that Russia had not been aiding Iran during this critical time.
President Donald Trump has indicated that he sees no evidence suggesting Russia is assisting Iran amid the US-Israeli operations. On March 6, when asked about allegations of Russian support for Iran against these operations, Trump avoided a direct response.
Recent reports have emerged indicating that Russia has been supplying Iran with intelligence regarding the locations and movements of US military assets, including troops, ships, and aircraft, potentially utilizing satellite data.
US intelligence suggests that this support has been corroborated by Iranian attacks on temporary US military installations in the Persian Gulf region. Notably, on March 1, Iran targeted an American military site in Kuwait with a drone strike, resulting in six fatalities.
Caroline Levitt, a spokesperson for the Trump administration, noted that the president is not overly concerned about the possibility of Russian assistance to Iran in executing attacks against US forces.
Military Operations Against Iran
On February 28, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, prompting President Trump to announce a significant military operation aimed at neutralizing perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of financing and training militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
According to Trump, the objective of this military initiative is to dismantle Iran’s missile production capabilities and naval forces, ensuring that the regime cannot destabilize global peace.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones towards Israel and attacking US military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the escalating situation, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council. The European Union has reiterated its commitment to maintaining regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed support for giving Iranians a chance to rid themselves of what he termed a “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian aggression.
On February 28, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
On March 1, the IRGC declared the commencement of its most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic against Israel and US military bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a “very strong response” if they did not.
On March 2, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 3, sources from Iran International reported that the Assembly of Experts in Iran had elected a new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased Ali Khamenei.
On March 6, President Trump emphasized the need for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, mentioning that he had several candidates in mind for a potential “good leader.”
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy, has urged Russia to stop sharing intelligence with Iran amid escalating military actions by the US and Israel. This comes as tensions rise following attacks on US military sites in the region and significant military operations against Iran.