Russian FM denies sharing intelligence with Iran in France Télévisions interview

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denied allegations that Moscow passed intelligence to Iran regarding US military bases in the Middle East, saying such information is publicly available.

In an interview with France Télévisions, Lavrov dismissed claims that Russia had provided Tehran with targeting data, Caliber.Az reports. 

“Everyone in the region knows their coordinates. This is not classified information. This information is readily available. I am not surprised to see Iran target them," he said.

Lavrov added that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners had urged Washington not to escalate tensions and had indicated they would not allow their airspace or bases to be used for strikes against Iran. He argued that US regional bases had nonetheless been used for intelligence purposes and suggested that subsequent attacks on them were a consequence of what he called a “reckless venture.”

"The Americans have evacuated most of their personnel from these bases for a reason. This also goes to show that they knew what was about to unfold. By launching this aggression, they have set up their Arab allies,” Lavrov noted.

The remarks came amid weeks of US and Israeli military operations against Iran. Lavrov said Russia’s position is guided primarily by the principle of upholding international law rather than defending Tehran directly.

He argued that Washington’s actions demonstrate a disregard for international norms, referring to comments by US President Donald Trump about acting according to “his own morality and his own mind.” Lavrov said that previous US-led interventions in Iraq, Libya and Syria had destabilised the region and suggested that a similar pattern was now unfolding in Iran.

“The same is now happening with the Islamic Republic of Iran. For the second time in a row, the aggression against this country has begun at the height of negotiations,” he said, adding that statements by senior US officials about Iran’s leadership amounted to “cynical behaviour.”

On energy issues, Lavrov accused the United States of seeking to dominate global energy markets, including the Strait of Hormuz. He cited Venezuela as “a stark example” and criticised Western reactions to the explosions on the Nord Stream pipelines, calling Germany’s response “a disgrace.”

Addressing the war in Ukraine, Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s position that the conflict stems from NATO expansion and the events of 2014. He rejected accusations that Russia targets civilian infrastructure, saying its forces strike military facilities only.

Lavrov also said Russia no longer considers the European Union a partner, citing statements by European leaders about a “strategic defeat” of Russia, but added that Moscow remains open to dialogue based on equality and mutual respect.

By Sabina Mammadli