The U.S. government is currently investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents that detail Israel's plans to attack Iran. According to three U.S. officials, the documents, which appear to be legitimate, were shared within the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance comprising the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The documents, attributed to the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, highlight Israel's ongoing military preparations in response to Iran's recent ballistic missile attack on October 1. The top-secret documents were discovered online on Telegram and subsequently reported by CNN and Axios.
The investigation is focused on determining how the documents were obtained, whether through an intentional leak or a potential security breach like hacking. Officials are also assessing the extent of any potential compromise of other intelligence information. Efforts are underway to identify individuals who had access to the documents prior to their unauthorized disclosure.
These developments come amidst U.S. efforts to encourage Israel to seek a ceasefire in Gaza following the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. The U.S. has also cautioned Israel against escalating military actions in Lebanon to avoid triggering a broader regional conflict. Despite these warnings, Israeli leadership has reiterated its commitment to retaliating against Iran's missile attack.
In response to inquiries, the Pentagon acknowledged awareness of the reports regarding the leaked documents but refrained from providing further comments at this time.
