Witkoff says Russia denied sharing US military intelligence with Iran in call with Trump
WASHINGTON, DC: Special envoy Steve Witkoff said that Russian officials told President Donald Trump they had not shared intelligence with Iran about the location of US military forces.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday, March 10, Witkoff said the denial came during a call Monday, March 9, between Trump and Russian officials.
“Yesterday, on the call with the president, the Russians said that they have not been sharing,” Witkoff said. “That’s what they said. So, you know, we can take them at their word. But they did say that,” he added.
Steve Witkoff reveals content of US, Russian leaders' calls
Witkoff said the same assurance was repeated during a separate call earlier Monday involving himself, Jared Kushner, and Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.
“Yesterday morning, independently, Jared and I had a call with Ushakov, who reiterated the same,” Witkoff said. “Let’s hope they’re not sharing.”
The comments come amid heightened tensions in the Middle East as the United States and Israel continue military operations against Iran.
Witkoff says Geneva talks planned next week
Witkoff also said he and Kushner plan to travel to Geneva next week for trilateral discussions involving Russian and Ukraine officials.
The meeting, he said, could take place sometime next week, though a specific date has not yet been finalized.
The talks would come as Washington continues diplomatic engagement with Moscow while the Russia-Ukraine War continues. Witkoff also addressed reports of possible disagreements between the United States and Israel after canceling a planned visit to the country this week.
He said the trip was intended mainly for coordination rather than to resolve disputes. “The visit that we were intending to do was less about smoothing out differences, because I don’t really think there are many differences,” Witkoff said.
The trip was canceled for reasons unrelated to Israel’s recent strikes on Iranian oil infrastructure, he added. Witkoff said he and Kushner will “probably make that trip next week,” though the timing has yet to be finalized.
