WP: Hungary is sharing intelligence with Iran, while Vance flies to Budapest to back its leader amid election campaign
The government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has offered its support to Iran, a key backer of the organization Hezbollah, which the US considers a terrorist group, The Washington Post reports. Iran, like Hungary, is also a strategic partner of China and Russia, countries that together oppose the West.
According to available information, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó spoke by phone with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
“Our secret service has already contacted your services, and we will share all the information we have gathered during the investigation,” said Szijjártó.
This statement is reflected in a copy of the Hungarian government transcript from 30 September, obtained and verified by a Western intelligence agency and reviewed by the journalists.
Orbán’s overture raises questions about Budapest’s relations with Tehran amid US politics
Szijjártó’s approach and apparent willingness to curry favor with the Iranian foreign minister raise complex questions about the Orbán government’s ties with Tehran.
This occurred at a time when the Trump administration was in conflict with Iran while also supporting Orbán’s high-stakes reelection campaign.
Hungary’s foreign policy contradictions: supporting Israel vs. aligning with Iran
The outreach contradicts Orbán’s official policy of supporting Israel. Previously, Budapest often diverged from European colleagues in UN Security Council votes in favor of Israel.
At the same time, in April 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faced an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, visited Budapest.
Earlier, leaked documents revealed that Budapest and Moscow are deepening their alliance despite the war and EU obligations.
According to the documents, Szijjártó and Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko approved a 12-point plan covering strategic areas of cooperation.
