Secret US documents on Israeli strike plans leaked to Iran

A major US intelligence leak has released classified information detailing Israel’s plans for a military strike on Iran, causing alarm in both Washington and Tel Aviv. Documents leaked to pro-Iran media outlets have raised serious concerns about the Biden-Harris administration’s ability to protect sensitive information, with implications for US-Israel relations and the broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

Over the weekend, top-secret US Pentagon documents were published by the Middle East Spectator, a publication known for its links to Tehran’s propaganda machine. The documents, allegedly created by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Security Agency (NSA), detail Israel’s preparations for a large-scale counterattack against Iran. While the documents did not specify targets inside Iran, they did contain highly classified information about the types of aircraft, munitions and strategies Israel would use in such an attack.

What makes this leak even more alarming is the fact that the documents appear to have come from US intelligence systems. According to multiple sources, these files were not only accessible to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance—a group that includes the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada—but were also available to “thousands and thousands” of US officials. This widespread availability within the US government raises serious concerns about homeland security protocols and how a leak of this magnitude could occur.

The breach has already caused concern in Israel, which has long considered the United States its closest ally in the Middle East. Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon adviser, stressed that the broader implications of the leak go far beyond tactical considerations. He noted that the most damaging aspect is not necessarily the revelation of Israel’s military plans, but the erosion of trust between the two countries. “Ultimately, it is not Israel that will pay the price; this is the United States,” Rubin noted, explaining that Israel could begin to withhold critical intelligence information from Washington, thereby forcing the United States to rely on media reports or other indirect sources for updated information on Israeli actions.

In a region as volatile as the Middle East, where time and secrecy are of the utmost importance, a lack of trust can have dangerous consequences. “Minutes can make the difference between life and death,” Rubin said, warning that the United States could be flying blind in future Israeli military actions. For Israel, such leaks call into question whether it can continue to share secret operational plans with its American counterparts without risk of exposure.

The Biden-Harris administration has already launched an investigation into the breach, with officials calling it a “deadly serious breach” of national security. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is leading the investigation to identify the leaker and determine how these documents, dating back just a few weeks earlier, ended up in the hands of a pro-Iranian media outlet.

However, concerns have also been raised about the motive behind the leak. A campaign to leak classified information to undermine US-Israel relations is ongoing, according to an anonymous senior US Defense Department official. They speculate that this incident may be part of that larger effort. With Israel already facing criticism for its handling of the conflict with Hamas and Hezbollah, such leaks could further strain relations between the two allies.

Meanwhile, US lawmakers expressed outrage. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, called for full accountability for those responsible for the leak, citing the potential danger to Israeli lives and the broader U.S.-Israel partnership. “Whoever committed this outrageous act puts our ally at risk and must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Wicker said.

The leak comes at a particularly sensitive moment in US-Israel relations. Just last week, private talks between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin were also made public. The documents reveal efforts to pressure Israel to increase humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as well as thinly veiled threats to cut US arms sales if Israel does not comply. That has fueled speculation that some factions in the Biden-Harris administration could use the leaks as a way to influence Israeli policy, especially as the US pushes for a more diplomatic approach to the Iran nuclear issue.

Adding fuel to the fire, a secret State Department document earlier this year suggested that Israel had violated US laws regarding the provision of humanitarian aid during the conflict. The leak also caused a stir in Israeli political circles, with some lawmakers accusing the Biden administration of using intelligence leaks to pressure Israel to go along with its foreign policy priorities.

The cumulative effect of these leaks has led many in Israel to question whether the US can still be trusted as a reliable ally. The Biden-Harris administration, already finding a delicate balance between support for Israel and diplomatic engagement with Iran, now faces a potential rift with one of its closest strategic partners. The leak in particular could deepen divisions, especially as Israel builds up its military power in response to growing threats from both Iran and its regional proxies.

With several senior Biden-Harris administration officials known to favor increased diplomacy with Iran, including Pentagon official Ariane Tabatabai, who has previously been identified as part of a pro-Iranian influence network, questions are being raised about the administration’s stance on Israel’s security interests. Israeli officials are likely to be even more wary of sharing sensitive information, especially if it involves activities that may conflict with the administration’s diplomatic goals.

The leak of classified US documents detailing Israeli military plans is more than just a security breach – it is a breach of trust. As the Biden-Harris administration scrambles to investigate the source of the leak, the damage to US-Israel relations may already be done. For Israel, the lesson is clear: when it comes to the most important military operations, it may no longer be able to fully trust Washington. As the Middle East faces increasing instability, this growing rift between two important allies could have far-reaching consequences for both the region and US strategic interests.

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