The United States is investigating a leak of highly classified intelligence that reveals details about Israel’s purported preparations for a retaliatory strike against Iran. The leaked documents, dated October 15 and 16, began circulating online last Friday after being posted by a Telegram account named “Middle East Spectator.” Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed their authenticity.
The documents are marked “top secret” and are intended for viewing only by the US and its “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing allies, which include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. According to the leaked materials, Israel appears to be moving munitions and conducting air force exercises involving air-to-surface missiles, indicating preparations for a potential strike on Iran.
One of the documents, compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), describes movements of munitions in Israel, while another, sourced to the National Security Agency (NSA), details Israeli military exercises. The information appears to align with Israel’s recent actions following an Iranian missile barrage on October 1, which heightened tensions between the two nations.
US officials have described the leak as “deeply concerning,” particularly given its timing. An investigation has been launched to determine how the classified information was released, with the FBI, Pentagon, and US intelligence agencies collaborating to identify the source. The FBI has not issued a public comment on the investigation.
The incident has the potential to strain US-Israeli relations, especially as it comes at a sensitive time. Israel has consistently kept its military plans under wraps, and any disclosure of such details could compromise operational security. Additionally, the documents appear to confirm something Israel has never publicly acknowledged — the possession of nuclear weapons. However, the leaked materials indicate there is no evidence suggesting Israel plans to use nuclear weapons against Iran.
Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Mick Mulroy, emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “If it is true that Israeli tactical plans to respond to Iran’s attack on October 1 have been leaked, it is a serious breach.” He added that such incidents could erode trust between the US and Israel, jeopardizing future security coordination.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Pentagon have not commented on the leak, while the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency declined to respond. The National Security Agency has also been approached for comment, but has yet to issue a statement. Officials are particularly concerned that these might not be the only documents leaked, which raises questions about the broader implications for US security partnerships.
The precise method of how the documents became public remains unclear, with speculation ranging from hacking to an internal leak. The leak also comes as US authorities maintain heightened vigilance over Iranian cyber activities. Earlier this year, US intelligence reported that Iranian hackers had accessed documents from Donald Trump’s campaign, underscoring ongoing digital threats from Iran.
This is not the first time a leak has posed a challenge for US intelligence relations. Last year, a major leak involving a 21-year-old Air National Guardsman sharing classified information on Discord caused tensions with several US allies, including South Korea and Ukraine. The latest incident could potentially have a similar impact, especially if further sensitive information emerges.
