US investigates intel leak on Israel’s Iran attack plans
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US House Speaker Mike Johnson said an investigation is under way.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON - The US is investigating the leak of a pair of highly classified intelligence documents
The documents appear to have been prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, describing US interpretations of Israeli air force and navy planning based on satellite imagery from Oct 15 to 16.
They began circulating last week on the Telegram messaging app. Israel has been planning a response to a ballistic-missile barrage from Iran on Oct 1 – its second direct attack on Israel in six months. Israel has intensified its offensive in Gaza and Lebanon, days after it killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Asked about the leak of the documents during an interview with CNN, Mr Johnson, the US House of Representatives’ top lawmaker, said an “investigation (is) under way and I’ll get a briefing on that in a couple of hours”, adding: “We are following it closely.”
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon said it was looking into the leak reports.
The New York Times reported that officials acknowledged privately that the documents were authentic, but that they likely represent only a portion of the information the US has on its close ally’s planning.
The first document is titled: “Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations for Strike on Iran and Conducts a Second Large-Force Employment Exercise”. It describes activities including ballistic and air-to-surface missile handling.
The second one is titled: “Israel: Defence Forces Continue Key Munitions Preparations and Covert UAV Activity Almost Certainly for a Strike on Iran”. UAVs are also known as drones.
US President Joe Biden, responding to questions from reporters, last week said he had a good understanding of when and how Israel would attack Iran. But he also said he saw an opportunity to end the two enemies’ back-and-forth strikes. REUTERS
