Pompeo Points to a Growing “Axis”
Former US Secretary of State and former CIA Director Mike Pompeo warned on Monday of deepening cooperation between Russia, Iran, and China, describing what he called an “axis” among the three countries as a reality that now poses a direct threat to American forces and interests. Pompeo’s remarks came in a post on X, in which he cited a report published by NBC News saying Russia is providing Iran with advanced cyber and electronic intelligence during the ongoing military confrontation between the United States and Iran — a development he described as further evidence of growing cooperation among Washington’s adversaries.
Satellite Data and Signals Intelligence Reportedly Shared
According to the report, Moscow is supplying Tehran with intelligence that includes satellite reconnaissance data and signals intelligence (SIGINT) — information derived from the electronic emissions of communication networks, radars, and military systems. Informed American and European officials told the outlet that this information is helping Iran better track the positions of US forces, jam certain American weapons systems including aircraft and precision-guided munitions, strengthen its defenses against air strikes, and improve the effectiveness of its offensive operations against ships, aircraft, and moving targets. The officials added that this support is enabling Iran to build a more accurate targeting database, conduct better battle-damage assessments, and improve its ability to detect and respond to attacks on its own territory.
A Six-Month Confrontation and Recurring Accusations Against Moscow.
The report comes amid an ongoing military confrontation between the United States and Iran that has stretched into nearly its sixth month, with recurring reports of attacks on US forces in the region resulting in deaths and injuries at several military sites. It also reinforces earlier reporting by American media since March 2026 alleging that Russia has provided Iran with intelligence and satellite imagery, including data on the locations of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East, helping Tehran sharpen its operational capabilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously accused Moscow of supplying Iran with similar intelligence.
Pompeo linked these developments to what he described as an “axis” comprising Russia, Iran, and China, arguing that growing military and technical cooperation among the three countries represents a direct threat to US national security and the lives of American service members. Neither Moscow nor Tehran issued an immediate comment on the report, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had previously denied providing direct intelligence to Iran, acknowledging that military cooperation between the two countries continues.