[US-Iran War] Iran Holds Strong Against US as Russia Expands Covert Support

Russia Supplies Iran with Upgraded Shahed Drones
Provides Satellite Images Showing US Military Base Locations
"Iran Has Enhanced Its Tactics Compared to the '12-Day War'"

Russian President Vladimir Putin is presiding over a meeting at the Kremlin on the 17th (local time). Photo by AP

Russia, which is benefiting from the so-called "war boom" caused by the Middle East conflict, is reportedly expanding its behind-the-scenes support for Iran by providing satellite images showing the locations of U.S. forces and advanced drone technology.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 17th (local time), citing European intelligence agencies and Middle Eastern diplomatic sources, that Russia is supplying Iran with upgraded Shahed drone technology and satellite information.

According to the sources, Russia has improved the communications, navigation, and target-striking capabilities of Iran's Shahed drones and then transferred those upgraded components back to Iran. Russia is also said to be providing tactical advice, including recommendations on the number of drones to deploy during operations and optimal flight altitudes, based on its accumulated experience from the war in Ukraine.

It has been reported that Russia has provided Iran with the locations of U.S. and allied military assets in the Middle East through satellite imagery. This cooperation has deepened since the early stages of the war, and recently it is said to have reached a point where Russia is directly providing satellite images to Iran.

Iran has been attacking U.S. assets by first neutralizing radars with drones and then striking with missiles, a tactic that analysts say is similar to Russia's. The WSJ reported that, compared to last year's "12-Day War" with Israel, Iran has achieved greater results in targeting U.S. and Gulf countries' military assets.

Iranian military expert Jim Lamson told the WSJ, "If the images provided by Russia include information of high intelligence value, such as aircraft, ammunition storage facilities, air defense assets, and naval movements, they would offer substantial operational benefits to Iran."

Such suspicions have been raised since the early days of the Middle East conflict. After being attacked by the U.S. and Israel on the 28th of last month, Iran launched thousands of suicide drones and hundreds of missiles at U.S. military bases and diplomatic facilities throughout the Middle East. As a result, six U.S. soldiers were killed in Kuwait, and the CIA branch inside the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was also attacked. Given that Iran does not have many military satellites capable of providing location information, speculation arose that there was an external supporter helping Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has maintained a friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, has effectively acknowledged these reports. On the 6th, President Trump immediately criticized a question about Russia's support for Iran as a "stupid question," but on the 13th, he effectively admitted media reports by saying that President Putin "may be helping Iran a little." He also argued that Russia seems to be supporting Iran because the United States is providing support to Ukraine.

Russia is considered the biggest beneficiary of the Middle East conflict. The Financial Times (FT) reported on the 12th that Russia's excess revenue from oil exports is estimated to be $150 million (220 billion won) per day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.