Zelenskyy accuses Russia of helping Iran target U.S. bases with satellite images
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of providing Iran with satellite images to target U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
- Zelenskyy stated that Russia has been conducting active satellite surveillance of Gulf states and U.S. facilities since early July, with the images appearing in Iran.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged adversary alignment and attempts by Russia and China to aid Iran, though President Trump later expressed doubt about their involvement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of actively assisting Iran in targeting U.S. military bases in the Middle East by providing satellite surveillance imagery. Zelenskyy stated on X that since the beginning of July, Russia has been conducting extensive satellite surveillance of Gulf states and U.S. military facilities, with the resulting images subsequently appearing in Iran.
Since the beginning of July, we have recorded active Russian satellite surveillance of the Gulf states and U.S. military facilities located there. These images subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russia's satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes, both before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted.
Zelenskyy pointed to a direct correlation between Russia's satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes, noting that the images were used both before attacks for preparation and afterward to assess damage. He cited specific instances on July 19 and 20 where four air bases in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait fell within the surveillance area of Russian satellites. Zelenskyy urged the international community not to ignore this situation, stating, "Evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further. Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work."
There's definitely adversary alignment, attempts to do so, and there are many ways that we deter that. And the depth and extent of it ought to remain classified, and it should. But there are ways in which both of those countries are limiting, at different levels, enabling some of the things Iran is doing, yes.
These accusations echo previous reports. Multiple sources, including a senior U.S. official, told CBS News early in the conflict that Russia was providing intelligence on U.S. positions in the Middle East to Iran. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth acknowledged during a Capitol Hill hearing that both Russia and China were enabling Iran's actions to "different levels," he declined to provide specifics, citing classification.
Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating. If they did, it would be very bad for them, Certainly not in their best interests.
However, President Trump later contradicted his defense secretary, stating on Truth Social that he did not believe Russia or China were assisting Iran. He claimed both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him of their non-involvement, adding that participation would be "very bad for them."
The purpose is clear. None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further. Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work.
Originally published by CBS News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.