CIA Director John Ratcliffe has told senators that Iran is seeking intelligence support from Russia, China, and other US rivals, as US and Israeli forces press their war on Iran on 19th day of the conflict.
Testifying on Wednesday at a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on "Worldwide Threats", Ratcliffe said, "The Iranians are requesting intelligence assistance from Russia, from China and from other adversaries of the United States, and whether or not those countries are (providing assistance) is something we can talk about in the classified portion."
When asked pointedly by Senator Jack Reed whether he had made an assessment and analysed communications traffic, Ratcliffe said he knows the "answer" and is "happy to discuss that with you in the classified portion."
Earlier in the hearing, Senator Angus King asked Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about reports that Russia is providing intelligence assistance to Iran, including satellite imagery, and whether she could update the committee.
"If there is that sharing going on, that would be an answer that would be appropriate for a closed session," Gabbard replied.
When King noted that multiple news outlets had reported the intelligence sharing, she repeated her response and added that, according to the Pentagon, "any support that Iran may be receiving is not inhibiting their operational effects."
King responded, "OK, that’s sort of a first cousin of a ‘yes.’"
"Nothing provided to Iran by any other country is affecting our operational success," White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said recently.
"The United States Military has struck more than 7,000 targets and destroyed more than 100 Iranian naval vessels leading to their missile attacks decreasing by 90 percent and their drone attacks decreasing by 95% percent."
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said earlier this month that Tehran and Moscow have "a very good partnership", but he did not confirm whether Russia is providing intelligence assistance.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia has expanded intelligence sharing and military cooperation with Iran, providing satellite imagery and enhanced drone technology to help Tehran target US forces in the region.
The report said Moscow is seeking to keep its closest Middle Eastern partner engaged in the confrontation with US and Israeli military power, while prolonging a conflict that some officials say is serving Russia’s military and economic interests.
