Hamas attack on Israel was Tehran's gift to Moscow: Ex-CIA agent reveals the TRUTH behind evil threat

It comes after Iran’s top diplomat said last month that it was not in the country’s interests for the Israel-Hamas conflict to escalate.

According to Ballman, Iran are “working closely” with China and Russia in the AI (artificial intelligence) sphere.

“I would say that Hamas’s attack on Israel was Tehran’s gift to Moscow in the AI space”, she said.

“Iran, Moscow and China are working closely together. They have different strengths and weaknesses.

“China has 20 years of manufacturing experience related to components that are pertinent to AI, so they have a strength there.

“Russia has the strength of an intellectual depth in cyber research and technology development. It also has an incredible aggressive intelligence service.”

Iran has supported Hamas but claims it was not informed of the terror attack on Israel, a position US officials confirmed.

Western states have nonetheless levelled criticism at Iran for its extensive support for “resistance” groups against Israel.

Iran has been calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza amid a devastating humanitarian crisis.

The Islamic republic has used the war, however, to tighten relationships with Arab and regional leaders.

It comes as a British-owned ship was hit by a missile in the Red Sea as part of an assault by Iranian-backed rebels, the US military said.

The Bahamas-flagged Unity Explorer, owned by a British company, was one of three commercial vessels targeted in the drone and missile assault on Sunday.

US military Central Command said the Unity Explorer sustained minor damage in the attack.

Two other ships registered in Panama were also struck by missiles, the Number 9 reporting some damage with the Sophie II suffering no significant damage, according to Central Command.

A military statement said guided-missile destroyer USS Carney shot down three drones in the attacks after responding to calls for assistance.