FBI Investigates Leak of Classified Documents Detailing Israeli Retaliation Plans Against Iran
The FBI is currently investigating the leak of classified documents that revealed Israel’s preparations to retaliate against Iran, marking another embarrassing disclosure of sensitive US intelligence, Bloomberg reports.
The bureau confirmed they are “working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community” to probe the leak, but offered no further details.
Two leaked documents, surfacing last week on the Telegram messaging platform, contained US geospatial and signals intelligence, suggesting Israel’s covert drone activity and preparation of munitions, including long-range air-launched ballistic missiles, for a potential strike against Iran.
While the information revealed was limited, the incident constitutes another blow to the US intelligence apparatus, coming just over a year after a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman leaked classified documents related to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The leak also underscores the delicate situation of the US routinely spying on its own allies. This could further strain relations between Washington and Jerusalem, especially as the US seeks to prevent Israel from attacking Iranian nuclear and energy facilities.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reportedly spoken with his Israeli counterpart to discuss the leak, though no details have been provided.
The leaked documents shed light on Israel’s nuclear capabilities, a topic both countries have consistently avoided acknowledging. The document stated that the US “has not observed indications that Israel intends to use a nuclear weapon” in its attack on Iran, adding that Israel’s nuclear and missile forces “are not on alert” with low confidence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly vowed retaliation against Iran for an October 1 ballistic missile attack on Israeli military targets.
While US officials are investigating whether the leak was intentional, carried out by a whistleblower, or a hack by an outside agent, they have ruled out foreign interference in the upcoming presidential election.
Last year’s leak, orchestrated by Airman Jack Teixeira, was the largest US intelligence breach in a decade, exposing confidential assessments of the Russia-Ukraine war and global intelligence gathering methods. Teixeira faces over a decade in prison after pleading guilty to retaining and transmitting classified documents.
