By The United States has initiated an investigation into the recent leak of classified documents that detail Israel’s plans for a potential military strike against Iran. The documents, marked as top secret, indicate that Israel was continuing to position military assets in preparation for an attack in response to Iran’s ballistic missile strike on October 1.
According to three US officials speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, the leaked documents are attributed to the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency. A fourth official confirmed that the documents appear to be legitimate. The classified information was shareable within the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, comprising the US, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The leaked documents first appeared on the Telegram messaging app and were subsequently reported by CNN and Axios. They suggest that Israel was still preparing for a military response to Iran’s missile attack, despite US efforts to urge restraint and push for a ceasefire in Gaza following the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
The investigation aims to determine how the documents were obtained, exploring possibilities such as an intentional leak by a US intelligence community member or a potential hack. Officials are also working to identify who had access to the documents before their unauthorized release and whether any additional intelligence information was compromised.
The Pentagon has acknowledged awareness of the reports but has not provided further comment. The Israeli military has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the leaked documents.
This incident raises significant concerns about intelligence security and the potential impact on US-Israel relations and regional stability in the Middle East. It also highlights the ongoing challenges in safeguarding sensitive information in the digital age, particularly given the similarity in style to previous leaks by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident may have broader implications for intelligence sharing among allies and the delicate balance of diplomatic efforts in the region, particularly as tensions between Israel and Iran remain high.
