US Investigates Unauthorized Release of Classified Documents on Israel's Plans to Attack Iran

US Investigates Unauthorized Release of Classified Documents

The United States is currently investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents that detail Israel's military plans regarding a potential attack on Iran. According to three U.S. officials who spoke to The Associated Press, a fourth official confirmed the legitimacy of the documents. These materials, attributed to the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, indicate that Israel was mobilizing military assets in response to a recent ballistic missile attack by Iran.

The documents, marked as top secret, were first shared on the Telegram messaging app and are believed to have been accessible within the "Five Eyes" alliance—comprising the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The investigation will look into how these documents were obtained, whether they were leaked intentionally by a U.S. intelligence member or if a hack was involved, and if other intelligence has been compromised.

In light of the escalating tensions, the U.S. has advised Israel to capitalize on its recent elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and to consider a cease-fire in Gaza. The Pentagon acknowledged the reports about the leaked documents but did not provide additional comments. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have emphasized their commitment to responding decisively to Iran's missile threats.

The documents surfaced online Friday, claiming to have been leaked by an individual within the U.S. intelligence community. One document’s format resembled previous leaks from Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, who pleaded guilty in March for leaking classified military information.

The Telegram channel that released the documents claims to be based in Tehran and has a history of sharing content supportive of Iran's regional influence.

US Investigates Unauthorized Release of Classified Documents on Israel's Plans to Attack Iran