The United States is currently investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents detailing Israel's preparations for a potential attack against Iran. The documents, reportedly from the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, revealed that Israel was in the process of positioning military assets for a potential strike in response to Iran's recent ballistic missile attack.
These top-secret documents, shareable within the 'Five Eyes' alliance comprising the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, were leaked on the Telegram messaging app last week. The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the authenticity of the documents and expressed concerns over the breach.
The investigation is focused on determining the source of the leak, whether it was an intentional disclosure by a member of the U.S. intelligence community or through unauthorized access like hacking. Officials are also assessing the extent of potential compromise of other intelligence information and identifying individuals who had access to the leaked documents.
The leaked documents, primarily based on satellite image analysis, depicted Israeli warplanes engaged in preparations for a strike, including air refueling exercises. Notably, the documents did not specify the intended targets of the operation or provide details on Israel's specific plans for the potential strike.
While the leaked information raised serious concerns, a senior U.S. defense official clarified that the documents did not contain Israeli war plans for Iran. The style of one of the leaked documents bore similarities to material previously disclosed by Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman who pleaded guilty to leaking classified military documents related to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The Telegram channel responsible for the leak, purportedly based in Tehran, Iran, has a history of sharing content supportive of Iran's leadership and its allies in the region. The Pentagon acknowledged awareness of the leaked documents but refrained from providing further details on the matter.
