Reuters reported that US intelligence is investigating whether Russia provided Iran with upgraded Shahed drones and the Kometa-M navigation system, enabling precision strikes on at least two CIA-linked facilities in the Gulf, including the CIA station at the US embassy in Riyadh. Two Western sources said the strikes used Russian-assisted drones, though US officials have not reached a final conclusion and Russia denies involvement.
In a follow-up report published on Thursday, Reuters provided further details on the investigation into Russian assistance for Iranian drone strikes on CIA-linked facilities in the Gulf. The report specifies that at least two such facilities were struck, including the CIA station at the US embassy in Riyadh, and that the strikes used upgraded Shahed drones. Two Western sources told Reuters that Russian assistance likely included the Kometa-M navigation system, which improved the drones' accuracy. US intelligence has not reached a final conclusion, and Russia denies providing the system.
The initial Reuters investigation, reported by The Zioneer at 21:40 on Wednesday, revealed that the US was investigating whether Russia shared targeting data and drone technology with Iran. A subsequent report that evening indicated that the probe also covered possible Russian intelligence on the locations of CIA facilities in the Middle East. The source base has remained consistent, with four security sources cited across the reports, and the new details have been corroborated by two Western sources familiar with the matter.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday, July 19, US officials were already investigating whether China or Russia supplied Iran with targeting data after precision strikes killed two US troops. Earlier unverified claims from Iranian and Russian sources had suggested Russian involvement in geolocation of US assets in the region. The deepening technological cooperation between Moscow and Tehran is a central focus of the investigation.
The investigation remains open, and US officials have not publicly attributed the strikes to Russian assistance. The precise extent of the Kometa-M system's role and whether Russia provided it directly or through intermediaries is still unclear. Russia's denial stands, and no independent verification of the system's use has been published.
4 developments
- DevelopingReport: U.S. officials investigate whether China or Russia supplied Iran targeting data after precision strikes
- StrongUS expands airstrikes on southern Iran as Israel prepares for possible Hezbollah response
- DevelopingWall Street Journal: Iran adapted to US defenses, American officials flag possible Chinese, Russian targeting aid
- StrongIran expands retaliatory strikes: missiles and drones reportedly target US installations in Qatar, UAE, and Oman
Source and signal
- Internal intake