International, March 7: Russia has allegedly provided intelligence to Iran that could help Tehran target American military assets in the Middle East, according to United States officials familiar with intelligence assessments. The claim marks the first indication that Russia may be indirectly involved in the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Officials said the information could assist Iran in targeting United States warships, aircraft and other military assets deployed across the region. The development comes as the confrontation intensified on March 6, with Israeli warplanes launching airstrikes in Tehran and Beirut, while Iran responded with another round of missile and drone attacks against Israel and Gulf states hosting American forces.
Amid the escalating tensions, Donald Trump, President of the United States, ruled out negotiations with Iran and called for the country’s “unconditional surrender” in a social media post. Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, later suggested that such a surrender could occur even if Tehran was not formally able to declare it.
Trump also told media outlets that he wanted to play a role in choosing Iran’s next leader after reports that the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, had died earlier during the conflict.
The violence has caused heavy casualties across the region. Officials say at least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel. Six American troops have also died during the fighting.
The United States Central Command said early Friday that American forces struck an Iranian drone carrier, setting the vessel ablaze. Video released by the command showed the burning ship, although Iranian authorities had not immediately acknowledged the attack.
In eastern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes near a mountain town killed at least three people and injured 16 others, according to the country’s health ministry. The Israeli military had earlier issued evacuation warnings for several villages, including the Hezbollah stronghold of Nabi Chit.
The United States has also approved a new arms package worth USD 151 million for Israel, including 12,000 1,000-pound bombs. Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, waived the usual congressional review process citing an emergency requirement for the munitions.
Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting a ballistic missile targeting the Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh and destroying four drones headed toward the Shaybah oil field in the kingdom’s vast Empty Quarter desert.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, accused the United States and Israel of committing war crimes by targeting civilian areas across Iran. He said Tehran does not seek escalation but would take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing condolences over Khamenei’s reported death and civilian casualties caused by what the Kremlin described as US and Israeli aggression. Putin also reiterated Moscow’s support for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic negotiations.
As the conflict spreads, disruptions to air travel and energy infrastructure have heightened global concerns over security and oil supplies. Qatar announced a partial resumption of flights after intercepting several drones, while airlines including Air Canada suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai due to security risks.
Humanitarian agencies have warned of a growing crisis, with more than 100,000 people displaced in Lebanon following Israeli evacuation warnings and continued airstrikes. Tom Fletcher, the United Nations humanitarian chief, cautioned that the widening conflict could divert global attention and funding away from other major crises, including those in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan.
