Russia sought to blackmail US using intelligence to Iran, Zelenskiy says - Reuters

Reuters
March 25, 2026
3 min read

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Ukraine's Zelenskiy alleges Russia sought to blackmail U.S. by threatening to share intelligence with Iran.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy alleged that Russia sought to blackmail the United States by threatening to share intelligence with Iran. The claim suggests Moscow was attempting to use sensitive information as leverage in negotiations or to influence U.S. policy decisions. Zelenskiy's accusation underscores the escalating information warfare and diplomatic tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict, where Russia has previously used intelligence disclosures as a coercive tactic. The allegation raises questions about what specific intelligence Russia may have possessed and whether such threats were communicated through official diplomatic channels. This development comes amid ongoing tensions between the U.S., Russia, and Iran over various geopolitical issues including nuclear negotiations and regional influence.

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