Zelenskyy: Iran deployed Russian Shahed drones against U.S. bases in Middle East

“Russia has already transferred drones — Shaheds. You know they use the Iranian license and produced many drones. They transferred them. I have 100% proof that the Iranian regime used them against American bases and neighboring countries in the Middle East. They used these drones. We saw intelligence data showing Russian parts in these drones,” the Ukrainian president said.

Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian intelligence believes Russian officials are providing intelligence to the Iranian regime. According to him, Moscow believes it can assist Iran because, in its view, the United States and Europe are helping Ukraine with intelligence in the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“That is their point of view. It is a fact, and as you see, it is not such a big secret,” Zelenskyy said.

On March 13, Britain’s Defense Secretary John Healey said Russia is providing Iran with tactical recommendations on how to use Shahed drones against the United States and its allies.

On March 6, the Washington Post reported, citing sources, that Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on the locations of U.S. military ships and aircraft in the Middle East.

On March 8, U.S. President Donald Trump said he sees no grounds to claim that Russia is supporting Iran.

Later, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged assistance from Russia. He said cooperation between Iran and Russia “is nothing new,” but did not say whether Russian intelligence is helping Iran locate U.S. military assets.

On March 10, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff said Russia denies sharing intelligence with Iran about the locations of American military facilities in the Middle East.