US government does not deny reports on Russia's help for Iran

When asked about this, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS News that the USA was monitoring everything. "We have the best intelligence in the world," he emphasized.

They knew what was going on and US President Donald Trump knew how to mitigate these risks. He knows who is talking to whom - "and anything that shouldn't happen, whether publicly or behind the scenes, will be confronted and dealt with decisively", said Hegseth.

Trump himself was also asked about the reports at an event in the White House. Jokingly, he initially spoke of a comparatively simple problem - and shortly afterwards brushed off the question.

Earlier, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt had said that even if the Russians were passing on information, it would make no difference with regard to the war. The US forces had already considerably weakened Iran.

What US media are reporting

The US broadcaster CNN and the Washington Post, citing people familiar with US intelligence, reported that the Kremlin was supplying Tehran with location and movement data on American troops, ships and aircraft. The New York Times, citing US officials, had similar information.

"It seems to be a pretty comprehensive measure," the Washington Post quoted one of the people as saying. According to CNN, most of the information passed on is images taken by Moscow's modern satellites.

Russia is not officially involved in the war. Moscow and Tehran have previously cooperated in the field of armaments, for example Iran supplied Russia with Shahed drones at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. However, military assistance or major arms deliveries for the partner in the Middle East do not currently appear to be on the cards. In view of the war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian capacities are already heavily utilized. At the same time, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin does not want to spoil relations in the Middle East with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are also important for Moscow.