U.S. Investigates Russia’s Possible Role In CIA Attacks

Reuters reported Wednesday that U.S. intelligence analysts are looking into whether Russia helped Iran strike CIA facilities in the Gulf by providing targeting intelligence or advanced drone technology.

The report, which cited four people familiar with the matter, said analysts have not reached definitive conclusions. But the precision of the strikes and Russia’s longstanding military support for Iran are among the factors under review.

The investigation into Moscow’s possible role in the attacks on CIA sites has not previously been reported.

Reuters has previously reported that Russia provided Iran with targeting assistance and other military support for attacks on U.S. interests in the Gulf. 

At least two CIA facilities were hit in March, including the CIA station housed inside the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and another facility in eastern Iraq. Some sources said additional sites were also hit but did not provide further details. 

One internal memo from a Western intelligence agency, according to a regional official familiar with it, concluded that Russia likely played a role in targeting regional CIA facilities.

Two Western officials in the Gulf briefed on intelligence reports said analysts believe the Saudi attack involved two Russian-enhanced versions of Iran’s Shahed drones. According to those officials, the first drone breached a vulnerable section of the embassy’s exterior, allowing the second to fly through the opening before detonating. No deaths or injuries were reported.

While Russia has long supported Iran militarily, helping Tehran target sensitive CIA facilities would mark a significant escalation in Moscow’s efforts to disrupt U.S. operations amid the ongoing Iran war.

Concerns about Russian assistance intensified after recent strikes on a U.S. military base in Jordan, where Iranian ballistic missiles hit army barracks and killed two soldiers.

Russia has helped Iran improve the range and accuracy of its Shahed drones by supplying the Kometa-M satellite navigation system, which is more resistant to jamming than Iran’s domestic version. The Wall Street Journal first reported this assistance in March; the Kremlin called the report “fake news.”

U.S. analysts have examined whether Iran relied on Russian targeting intelligence during the embassy attack. Some officials noted that few nations besides Russia would have both the capability and interest in providing such sensitive information against the U.S.

Still, some sources cautioned that Iran might have been targeting the broader U.S. Embassy and struck the CIA station by chance.

Daniel Hoffman, a former CIA station chief and undercover operations officer, said Russian assistance in targeting CIA facilities would be consistent with Moscow’s strategic partnership with Iran.

“They share an interest in trying to reduce or eliminate U.S. influence altogether in their self-designated spheres of influence,” he said.

The White House referred questions to the CIA, which declined comment. Iran’s mission to the United Nations, Russia’s Defense Ministry, and the Saudi government did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment.

CIA facilities overseas typically include stations in embassies, along with offices, safe houses, logistics hubs, and sites for surveillance or other operations. Their locations remain closely guarded.