Iran’s overseas minister admits Islamic Republic is receiving navy assist from Russia and China

Iran finally admitted last night that it is receiving military support from Russia and China.

Top American officials had claimed that Russia was behind Iran’s knowledge of sensitive intelligence, such as the precise locations of US warships.

This was reportedly denied by Vladimir Putin during a call with President Donald Trump.

But Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has now labelled both Russia and China ‘strategic partners’.

And when asked whether they were providing military support and intelligence, he replied: ‘We have had close co-operation [with Russia and China] in the past, which is still continuous, and that includes military co-operation. But I’m not going into any details of that.’

Much of the alleged shared information has been imagery from Moscow‘s complex constellation of satellites, a source said.

While it is not clear whether any single Iranian assault can be linked to Russian targeting intelligence, several drone strikes have hit US troops in recent days.

Reports also claim that the US has obtained intelligence which suggests China may soon provide Iran with financial assistance, spare parts for military vehicles and missile components.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi addresses the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on February 17, 2026 

Vladimir Putin reportedly denied to Donald Trump that Russia was behind Iran’s knowledge of sensitive intelligence on US military assets such as the location of warships 

It was last week alleged that the state-of-the-art Chinese spy ship Liaowang-1 was seen in the Strait of Hormuz.

One specialist has previously called the vessel a ‘floating supercomputer… to map the invisible battlefield’.

China relies heavily on Iranian oil and has reportedly been pressuring Tehran to allow safe passage for vessels through the Strait.

One source has said China wants the war to end because it ‘endangers its energy supply’.