U.S. Bases Under Scrutiny: Zelenskyy Claims Russian Satellite Support for Iranian Operations
Contradictory Signals from Washington
Wertynews.com – President Trump recently challenged his own Defense Secretary’s position regarding foreign assistance to Iran. Speaking on Truth Social, the American leader stated he did not believe either China or Russia were aiding Tehran’s military efforts. He referenced conversations with both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, who reportedly assured him of their non-involvement.
“Therefore, two major Countries that people speak of often in terms of Iran are, in my opinion, not participating,” Mr. Trump wrote. “If they did, it would be very bad for them — Certainly not in their best interests.”
New Evidence from Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented fresh allegations on Saturday, claiming Moscow is actively helping Iran monitor American military installations across the Middle East. The Ukrainian leader announced plans to deliver supporting documentation to Washington officials.
“Since the beginning of July, we have recorded active Russian satellite surveillance of the Gulf states and U.S. military facilities located there,” Zelenskyy said on X. “These images subsequently appear in Iran. At the same time, there is a clear correlation between Russia’s satellite imagery of these sites and Iranian strikes — both before the attacks, in preparation for them, and afterward, to assess the damage inflicted.”
Zelenskyy highlighted specific locations that came under Russian observation during a concentrated period. He noted that four airfields were tracked between July 19 and 20, including two facilities in Bahrain, one in Jordan, and another in Kuwait.
“On July 19 and 20 alone, four air bases fell within the area of interest of Russian satellites — two in Bahrain, one in Jordan, and one in Kuwait,” Zelenskyy continued. “The purpose is clear. None of us in the world should turn a blind eye to one very simple fact: evil always seeks ways to make things worse and spread further. Russia must be stopped. This war must be stopped. Pressure on the aggressor must work.”
Historical Context and Casualty Figures
These claims are not unprecedented. CBS News reported six days into the conflict that Russian intelligence was being shared with Iran concerning American positions. The allegation has persisted in various media outlets, with some reports suggesting Chinese participation as well.
During a congressional hearing earlier this week, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed the question directly. While his response lacked clarity, he acknowledged that both nations were contributing to Iranian capabilities in some capacity.
“There’s definitely adversary alignment, attempts to do so, and there are many ways that we deter that. And the depth and extent of it ought to remain classified, and it should,” Hegseth said. “But there are ways in which both of those countries are limiting, at different levels, enabling some of the things Iran is doing, yes.”
The human toll of the ongoing conflict continues to mount. Eighteen American military personnel have reportedly died since hostilities began. Recent casualties include three soldiers killed during an Iranian assault on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and one service member lost during a controlled demolition of an Iranian drone in Iraq.
Earlier losses include six U.S. personnel killed in March during an Iranian strike on a Kuwaiti installation, another six who perished when a refueling aircraft crashed in Iraq that same month, and one soldier killed in an Iranian attack on Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan Air Base.
U.S. officials informed CBS News last week that nearly one hundred American service members have sustained injuries from multiple Iranian airstrikes targeting Middle Eastern bases throughout this month alone.
