US Probes Russia's Role in March Drone Strikes on at Least 2 CIA Sites

3 articles · Updated · India Today · Jul 22

At least two CIA facilities — including the CIA station inside the US Embassy in Riyadh and a CIA-linked site in eastern Iraq — were hit by Iranian drones in March, prompting a secret US intelligence probe.
Investigators are examining whether Russia supplied targeting data, technical support or upgraded drone systems, after analysts flagged the strikes' unusual accuracy and a Western intelligence assessment said Moscow likely played a role.
Two Gulf-based Western officials said the Riyadh attack used two Russian-enhanced Shahed drones: one breached a weak point in the embassy, and a second flew through the opening and detonated inside; no casualties were reported.
The inquiry is also focusing on whether Russia provided the Kometa-M satellite navigation system, which experts say makes Shahed-136 drones more accurate and harder to jam than Iran's own equipment.
US agencies have not reached firm conclusions and are still weighing whether Iran meant to hit the CIA station specifically or struck it while targeting the embassy, as concern over Russian support has grown after weekend Iranian strikes in Jordan killed two US soldiers.