Reported by: Althiea .P | Edited by: Bornet .k
United States intelligence agencies are investigating whether Russia played a role in recent Iranian drone attacks targeting CIA-linked facilities in the Gulf, amid growing concerns over expanding military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran.
According to officials familiar with the inquiry, investigators are examining whether Russia may have supplied targeting intelligence or advanced drone technology used in the attacks. While the investigation is ongoing, officials said no definitive conclusions have been reached.
The reported strikes targeted at least two CIA-linked facilities, including the agency's station at the United States Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and another intelligence-related site in eastern Iraq.
Officials briefed on intelligence assessments said analysts believe the attack in Riyadh may have involved upgraded versions of Iran's Shahed drones, allegedly enhanced with Russian technology.
According to the reports, one drone reportedly breached the embassy's exterior wall before a second drone entered through the opening and detonated inside the compound. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Western intelligence officials also suggested that Russia may have assisted Iran in improving the drones' accuracy by providing the Kometa-M satellite navigation system, although the Kremlin has previously denied supplying such technology to Tehran.
Investigators are also assessing whether Russian-supplied intelligence or targeting data may have been used during the operation. However, some officials cautioned that the CIA station could have been struck incidentally while Iran was targeting the wider embassy complex.
The investigation comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and increasing concern among Western governments over growing military cooperation between Russia and Iran, particularly in drone technology and defence collaboration.
The White House referred requests for comment to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which declined to comment on the reports.
Iran's mission to the United Nations, Russia's Ministry of Defence, and the Saudi Arabian government had not publicly responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
The reported investigation follows a series of escalating regional confrontations involving Iran and the United States, including recent drone and missile attacks, concerns over Iran's military capabilities, and growing international scrutiny of Russia-Iran defence cooperation.
If confirmed, any direct Russian involvement in attacks on United States intelligence facilities would represent a significant escalation in geopolitical tensions and could have broader implications for relations between Washington, Moscow and Tehran.
United States intelligence agencies are expected to continue analysing evidence before determining whether Russia played a direct or indirect role in the attacks.
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