U.S. Investigates Severe Leak of Classified Documents on Israel’s Plans to Strike Iran
The United States is currently investigating the unauthorized release of top-secret documents detailing Israel’s preparations for a military strike on Iran, according to three U.S. officials who spoke with The Associated Press. A fourth official confirmed that the documents appear legitimate.
Document Origins and Content
The leaked documents are linked to the U.S. Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. They reveal that Israel was positioning military assets to conduct a retaliatory strike following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on October 1. These documents were intended for sharing within the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, a cooperative network of intelligence agencies from the U.S., United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
First reported by CNN and Axios, the documents, marked “top secret,” surfaced on the Telegram messaging app, raising significant concerns about national security. The officials who disclosed this information did so on the condition of anonymity, as they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
Nature of the Investigation
The U.S. government is conducting a thorough investigation into the source of the leak, considering possibilities that range from an intentional breach by someone within the intelligence community to a potential hack. Officials are also working to determine whether additional classified intelligence has been compromised. One U.S. official stated that investigators are focusing on identifying who had access to the documents before they were posted online.
The Pentagon acknowledged awareness of the leaked documents but did not provide further comment. The Israeli military has also not responded to requests for comment regarding the breach.
Links to Previous Leaks
The leak has drawn comparisons to earlier classified material leaked by Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman who pled guilty to releasing sensitive military documents related to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Some of the recently leaked documents resemble the style and content of Teixeira’s leak, prompting concerns that the same methods or sources might be involved.
Iran’s Involvement and Telegram’s Role
The Telegram channel that shared the documents is reportedly based in Tehran, Iran’s capital. The channel has previously posted content supportive of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” which includes militant groups backed by Tehran. Along with the documents, the channel has circulated memes and images featuring Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Escalating Regional Tensions
The leak comes at a delicate time, as the U.S. has urged Israel to take advantage of its elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to push for a cease-fire in Gaza. Washington has also cautioned Israel not to expand military operations into Lebanon, warning that it could trigger a wider regional conflict. Despite U.S. pressure, Israel’s leadership has remained firm in its intent to respond to Iran’s missile strike.
This situation underscores the growing complexity of Middle Eastern geopolitics and raises serious concerns about the security of classified information within U.S. intelligence agencies. The breach could lead to a reassessment of how sensitive information is shared and protected, potentially altering the dynamics of international intelligence cooperation.