The United States is investigating a serious leak of classified intelligence that suggests Israel may be planning a retaliation against Iran. US officials have described the leak as “deeply troubling.” The documents, dated October 15 and 16, began circulating online after being shared on a Telegram channel named “Middle East Spectator.”
These top-secret documents were meant for the US and its close allies—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. They reveal Israel's preparations for a potential strike on Iran, including the movement of munitions, as outlined in one document compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Another document, from the National Security Agency, details Israeli air force drills involving air-to-surface missiles, believed to be part of the attack preparations.
Officials are currently investigating who had access to the leaked Pentagon documents. Such incidents usually prompt an FBI investigation in coordination with the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies, though the FBI has not commented on this case.
This leak comes at a sensitive time for US-Israeli relations and may provoke a strong response from Israel, which is gearing up to retaliate for a missile attack on October 1. Notably, one document implies that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, a fact the country has never officially confirmed. However, it clarifies that there are no indications that Israel plans to use these weapons against Iran.
Experts indicate that if the leaked information about Israel's tactical plans is accurate, it could represent a significant breach of security. They warn that trust, a crucial element in US-Israeli relations, may be compromised, potentially impacting future cooperation between the two nations.
The circumstances surrounding the leak are still unclear, with questions about whether the documents were hacked or intentionally released. The US remains vigilant against potential Iranian hacking, especially after intelligence agencies reported in August that Iran had hacked materials related to Donald Trump’s campaign.
The initial report about the leaked documents was made public on Saturday. A previous significant leak of US intelligence last year had already strained relationships with allies like South Korea and Ukraine, after classified materials were posted on the social media platform Discord by a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman.
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