Europe’s top diplomat accused Russia on Thursday of supplying intelligence to Iran to help target U.S. forces in the Middle East, urging Washington to step up pressure on Moscow as regional tensions escalate.

Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said at a Group of Seven meeting near Paris that Russia was aiding Iran with intelligence and military support.

“We see that Russia is helping Iran with intelligence to target Americans, to kill Americans,” Kallas said, adding that Moscow was also providing drones to Tehran for attacks on neighbouring countries and U.S. military bases.

She argued that the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine are deeply connected, emphasising that addressing Iran’s actions requires simultaneously confronting Russia over its involvement in Ukraine.

“These wars are intertwined,” she said. “For an end to the Middle East conflict, America must also pressure Russia to prevent its support for Iran.”

Her remarks came hours after Britain’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, told the BBC he believed there was a ‘hidden hand’ of Russian President Vladimir Putin behind Iran’s military campaign.

Healey cited intelligence assessments indicating cooperation between Russia and Iran, including the provision of intelligence and training to Iranian forces prior to the outbreak of fighting in late February. He described the relationship as an ‘axis of aggression.’