Trump Downplays Russia's Reported Intel Sharing with Iran

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President Donald Trump dismissed the significance of reports that Russia has provided Iran with intelligence to help Tehran target U.S. military personnel and assets in the Middle East. Trump said that even if Russia is sharing such information, it is not helping Iran much as the week-old war rages on. The president also waved off questions about how Russia assisting Iran might affect U.S.-Russia relations.

Why it matters

The reported intelligence sharing between Russia and Iran raises concerns about the potential escalation of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the potential impact on U.S. forces in the region. Trump's downplaying of the issue could be seen as a reluctance to confront Russia's actions and the potential threat to American interests.

The details

Trump stopped short of confirming the reports, but said that if Russia is providing Iran with targeting information, it is not helping Iran much given the damage Iran has suffered in the past week of the war. The president also dismissed questions about how such intelligence sharing might affect U.S.-Russia relations, saying Russia would likely claim the U.S. does the same thing against them.

• The reports of Russia sharing intelligence with Iran emerged in the week following the start of the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran.
• Trump made the comments on Saturday as he attended the dignified transfer for six Army reservists killed in a drone strike in Kuwait the day after the war began.

What they’re saying