Russian satellites help Iran’s allies strike Saudi Arabia, data and officials say

A private intelligence firm found that Russian Cosmos 2600 series satellites converged over Saudi oil pipeline pumping stations and a military air base before precision strikes by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias between July and October 2026. The firm reported a 100% match between satellite activity and 40 attacks. Saudi, Houthi and intelligence sources told AP that Russia and China provided intelligence, with Iranian advisers relaying it. Russian officials had no comment.

A private geospatial intelligence firm, AURORAH Geosignal Intelligence, has found that Russian government and military satellites consistently orbited above targets in Saudi Arabia before and after precision strikes by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Iraqi militias. The firm examined 40 missile and drone attacks between July 1 and October 19, 2026, and reported a '100 percent match' between satellite activity and the strikes. On September 10, multiple drone strikes from Iraq hit three critical pumping stations along Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline, interrupting oil flow. A week later, King Fahd Air Base in Taif was struck by Houthi projectiles, damaging an Italian Eurofighter Typhoon jet. The firm observed 11 Russian Cosmos 2600 series satellites concentrating on the pipeline sections before the attacks, with flybys increasing in the weeks prior. Three officials, including a Saudi source and a senior Houthi figure, told The Associated Press that the Houthis and other Iranian allies have benefited from Russian intelligence, as well as Chinese capabilities. Iranian advisers in the field analyzed and transferred the intelligence. The Saudi Foreign Ministry's deputy minister for public diplomacy, Rayed Krimly, stated that Iran and the Houthis receive intelligence from 'elements in Russia and China.' Russian officials had no immediate comment. The findings illustrate how Russia is believed to be helping Iran and its allies target Saudi infrastructure, contributing to higher global energy prices.