Iran Seeking Intelligence Support from US Rivals, CIA Chief Warns

Washington, March 2026 : Iran is actively seeking intelligence support from key US adversaries, including Russia and China, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told lawmakers on Wednesday, highlighting an emerging dimension in the evolving geopolitical tensions involving Tehran.

Testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee during a hearing on global threats, Ratcliffe revealed that Iran has reached out to countries opposed to the United States for strategic intelligence cooperation. “The Iranians are requesting intelligence assistance from Russia, from China, and from other adversaries of the United States,” he said, adding that whether such support is being provided would be discussed in classified settings.

His remarks came amid growing concern in Washington over the potential widening of the Iran conflict and the possibility of deeper alignment between Tehran and major global powers. Lawmakers pressed intelligence officials on the risks of broader geopolitical entanglements that could further destabilise the region.

Ratcliffe firmly dismissed any notion that Iran has scaled back its nuclear or missile ambitions. Responding to questions from senators, he asserted that intelligence assessments indicate the opposite. “The intelligence reflects the contrary,” he said, underlining that Iran continues to pursue its strategic programmes with determination.

A key concern flagged by Ratcliffe was the rapid advancement of Iran’s missile capabilities. He noted that Tehran is gaining valuable expertise through its space launch vehicle programme, which could be adapted for long-range missile development. “If left unimpeded, they would have the ability to range missiles to the continental United States,” he warned, stressing the serious implications for US national security.

He also pointed to the importance of efforts under Operation Epic Fury, aimed at degrading Iran’s missile production infrastructure. According to Ratcliffe, such measures are critical to limiting Tehran’s growing military capabilities and mitigating future threats.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard echoed these concerns, telling the panel that the US intelligence community has consistently monitored Iran’s activities and provided regular threat assessments to policymakers. She emphasised that Iran’s missile programme remains a significant risk, particularly to American troops stationed in the region.

Gabbard further highlighted Iran’s longstanding ability to disrupt global energy supplies, especially through its strategic position near the Strait of Hormuz. She noted that Tehran has historically threatened to leverage control over this vital shipping route, raising concerns about potential impacts on global oil markets.

In addition, Ratcliffe disclosed that Iran had developed plans to target US-linked energy infrastructure across the region. He said precautionary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel and assets ahead of Operation Epic Fury, reflecting the seriousness of the threat.

The testimony underscored mounting anxiety among US lawmakers that the situation could escalate further if Iran deepens cooperation with countries like Russia and China. Such a development, officials warned, could complicate diplomatic efforts and heighten the risk of a broader conflict.

Despite these concerns, intelligence officials maintained that the United States had anticipated several aspects of Iran’s potential response. Gabbard reiterated that the intelligence community continues to assess evolving threats and provide timely inputs to decision-makers to guide policy responses.

Ratcliffe concluded by stressing that Iran has long posed a sustained threat to the United States and continues to do so. He described the current situation as particularly critical, underscoring the need for vigilance as tensions in the region continue to unfold.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)