Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran, has said that Russia is helping the country in different directions in its conflict with the United States.

Speaking during an interview on Meet the Press on NBC News, Araghchi said the military cooperation between Iran and Russia is not new and has continued for years.

He said, “We have a strategic partnership with Russia. Well, military cooperation between Iran and Russia is not something new; it’s not a secret. It has been in the past, and it’s still there and will continue in the future.”

When asked whether Moscow was helping Iran locate American forces in the region, Araghchi declined to provide specific military details but again referred to the broader Russian support.

The interviewer asked, “It’s Russia helping you locate US forces?” He responded, “Well, I don’t exactly have military information. As far as I know, we have a very good partnership with Russia. So they are helping you? They are providing you intelligence? Well, they are helping us in many different directions. I don’t have any detailed information.”

Araghchi also rejected calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, saying Iran would continue fighting while the conflict persists.

He accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iranian civilians and infrastructure.

The U.S. and Israel “are killing our people, they are killing girl students, you know, they are attacking hospitals,” he told moderator Kristen Welker.

According to Araghchi, a previous ceasefire reached after last year’s 12-day conflict had already been broken.

He said Israel and the U.S. had already shattered the ceasefire reached to end last year’s 12-day war, adding, “And now you want to ask for a ceasefire again? This doesn’t work like this.”

“There needs to be a permanent end to the war,” Araghchi said. “Unless we get to that, I think we need to continue fighting for the sake of our people and our security.”

Earlier, four sources told NBC News that Russia had been providing intelligence to Iran on the location of U.S. forces in the Middle East, including information that could help Tehran track American warships. (Tribune)