U.S. defense officials are investigating whether Russia and China are providing assistance to Iran, which could be enhancing the precision of its drone and missile attacks. These concerns have escalated following recent strikes that have evaded U.S. air defenses and resulted in American casualties.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth confirmed that both Moscow and Beijing are offering some level of support to Tehran, though the specifics remain classified. "There are ways in which both of those countries are, at different levels, enabling some of the things Iran is doing, yes," Hegseth stated.
These fears were heightened on Wednesday when an Iranian attack reportedly targeted a weapons depot near the same Jordanian air base where three American troops were killed days earlier. A source familiar with the attack described a "mushroom cloud" rising after the strike, which an explosion followed. Foreign intelligence had reportedly warned of a potential attack around 10:30 a.m., but U.S. defenses allegedly failed to intercept it. Iranian state media also reported continued attacks on U.S. forces in Jordan on Wednesday.
American intelligence analysts are examining whether Russia has helped Iran improve its capabilities to strike sensitive U.S. targets, including CIA facilities in the Gulf, through advanced drone technology and targeting assistance. While no firm conclusions have been reached regarding direct Russian involvement in specific attacks, the effectiveness and precision of recent strikes, coupled with Russia's broader technical support for Iran, have prompted this investigation. A Western intelligence assessment suggested Russia likely played a role in targeting regional CIA facilities.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, former U.S. envoy to Ukraine and Russia, indicated that Russia is likely leading efforts to enhance Iran's targeting capabilities. "I think it is Russians primarily helping with targeting," Kellogg said. "China needs to realize they are dependent on Middle Eastern oil — not us. We can really help them or hurt them."
Officials believe Iran may have adapted its tactics after studying previous conflicts, including its exchanges with Israel. Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, noted that Iran appears to have learned from missile defense capabilities, a process that could be combined with intelligence support from Russia and China, leading to "deadly outcomes for U.S. forces and assets in the region."
The increased precision was starkly demonstrated on July 17, when an Iranian ballistic missile strike killed three U.S. troops at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The missile hit prefabricated housing units where American service members resided. This strike was one of three Iranian missile attacks against the base within a 24-hour period, with multiple ballistic missiles penetrating U.S. air defenses. The Pentagon identified the fallen troops as 1st Lt. Tyler J. Feehan, Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, and Army Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad. Nearly 100 service members have sustained injuries since July 7, though most have returned to duty.
President Trump has pledged retaliation for each American death. U.S. Central Command has continued daily strikes since July 11 aimed at degrading Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.