Russia denies accusations of sharing intelligence with Tehran to target US forces
European powers accused Russia of helping Iran target United States forces in the Middle East war and said they would raise the issue on Friday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France.
Rubio is joining the second day of the gathering of ministers of leading Western democracies, taking place amid wars in Iran and Ukraine, economic uncertainty and mounting unease over unpredictable US foreign policy under President Donald Trump.
The ministers are also expected to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, the critical Gulf waterway for the transport of oil and gas, which Iran has effectively blocked, spiking energy prices and roiling financial markets.
Two Western security sources and a regional official close to Tehran told Reuters that Moscow has been providing satellite imagery to Tehran and has also helped Iran upgrade its drones to emulate the equivalent versions used by Russia against Ukraine.
Other media outlets have also reported that Russia is aiding Iran in the conflict with the US and Israel, just as Tehran has helped Moscow in its war against Ukraine.
“We’re deeply concerned about the links between Russia and Iran that have been longstanding in terms of shared capabilities – for example, drones provided to Russia by Iran that have been involved in the conflict in Ukraine,” British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said. “We have also seen support from Russia provided to Iran in the Middle East conflict,” Cooper told reporters at the meeting in Vaux-de-Cernay abbey near Paris.
“As G7 countries, we have a shared interest in coming together to discuss these issues.”
On Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Russia was “helping Iran with intelligence to target Americans, to kill Americans” and supporting Tehran with drones so it could attack neighbouring countries and US military bases.
Read: US, Iran could meet for direct talks in Pakistan ‘very soon’: German FM
Before heading to Europe, Rubio appeared to play down concerns about the accusations against Moscow. “I think Russia is primarily concentrating on the war they have going on right now. Beyond that, I don’t have anything to add right now,” he said.
‘I’m not there to make them happy,’ says Rubio
Asked by reporters about the reception he’s expecting, Al Jazeera states Rubio told reporters before his flight that he’s looking forward to gathering with his counterparts and “we’re going to have great meetings.
“I’m not there to make them happy. I get along with all of them on a personal level, and we work with those governments very carefully. But the people I’m interested in making happy are the people of the United States. That’s who I work for. I don’t work for France or Germany or Japan,” he said.
Rubio left Washington for the G7 meeting shortly after Trump slammed NATO countries for not stepping up to help the US and Israel in their attack on Iran.
Russia dismisses intelligence-sharing accusations
In an interview with France 2 television broadcast on Thursday evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s denials of the intelligence-sharing accusations.
“We have supplied Iran with military equipment, but we cannot accept the accusations being made against us that we are passing intelligence to Iran,” he said, according to France 2’s translation of his remarks.
Two European diplomats said ministers aimed to raise the issue of Russian-Iranian cooperation during the talks on Friday, hoping to press the US to take a tougher line against Moscow.
“There is reason to believe that today Russia is supporting Iran’s efforts, both military and otherwise, which appear to be directed, in particular, against American targets,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said at the end of the first day of the meeting.
Allies hope for clarity from Rubio on Iran war aims
Washington’s partners are also hoping to get greater clarity on the US and Israeli military operations and on whether any meaningful diplomatic channel exists to end the conflict.
Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, Iran has launched strikes against Israel, US bases and Gulf states, as well as effectively blocking Middle East fuel exports via the Strait of Hormuz.
Read more: How many countries have pushed back on Trump’s Hormuz ship demand?
Highlighting efforts to show Washington that they are stepping up, France on Thursday organised a video conference call with some 35 militaries from around the world as it sought partners and proposals for a mission to reopen the Strait once the US-Israeli war with Iran ends.
The two-day gathering brings together ministers from the G7 – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US – alongside the European Union.
UK says Iran hostaging world’s economy
According to Al Jazeera, speaking at the gathering, Cooper called for a “swift resolution” to the conflict, saying Iran was holding “the global economy hostage” by restricting the Strait of Hormuz. “We are very clear we need to see a swift resolution to this conflict that restores regional stability,” Cooper said.
Referring to Iran’s disruptions in the strait, she added: “Frankly, Iran cannot be able to just hold the global economy hostage as a result of a strait which is about international shipping routes and the freedom of navigation.”
