CIA director presses Russia to reduce support for Iran - report
Ratcliffe also used his Moscow visit to warn Russia against attacking any NATO member, according to sources familiar with the trip who spoke to The Wall Street Journal
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday to urge Russia to scale back its military and economic support for Iran, according to reports in several US media outlets.
Politico reported that Ratcliffe raised the issue during meetings with Russian intelligence officials as Washington seeks to deepen Iran’s international isolation and limit the resources available for its military activities.
The reported request comes as the Trump administration intensifies economic pressure on Tehran and works to restrict the assistance Iran receives from foreign partners. Details of Ratcliffe’s requests and the Russian officials’ response have not been made public.
Ratcliffe also used the visit to warn Moscow against attacking any NATO member, according to sources familiar with the trip who spoke to The Wall Street Journal.
US intelligence agencies reportedly believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin could attempt to test NATO’s resolve in the coming years through a cyberattack or a limited ground incursion against one of the Baltic states.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Ratcliffe met with Russian intelligence officials but said he did not meet with Putin. The Russian president was nevertheless briefed on the discussions, Peskov added.