WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is currently investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents that assess Israel’s plans to attack Iran, according to three U.S. officials who spoke to The Associated Press. A fourth U.S. official has confirmed that the documents appear to be legitimate.
The documents in question are attributed to the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, highlighting Israel’s ongoing efforts to position military assets for a potential strike in response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1. These classified documents were shared among the “Five Eyes” alliance, which includes the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The top-secret documents were reportedly posted on the messaging platform Telegram and were initially brought to light by CNN and Axios. Due to the sensitive nature of the information, the officials providing details have requested anonymity as they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
An investigation is underway to determine the source of the leak and whether any other intelligence data was compromised. Officials are actively working to identify individuals with access to the documents prior to their unauthorized disclosure.
The emergence of these documents coincides with U.S. efforts to urge Israel to exercise restraint following the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and to seek a ceasefire in Gaza. Additionally, the U.S. has cautioned Israel against escalating military actions in Lebanon to avoid triggering a broader regional conflict. Despite these warnings, Israel 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.
