The Pentagon has raised the threat level due to possible Israeli espionage
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has updated its assessment of counterintelligence risks, highlighting a possible increase in espionage activities by Israel. Amid these concerns, the Pentagon has raised the counterintelligence threat level to the highest. As NBC News notes, the U.S. Department of Defense considers this issue one of the key security challenges.
According to sources, in recent weeks the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) updated its assessment of counterintelligence risks amid disagreements between Washington and Tel Aviv regarding further actions in the war with Iran. In an internal memo, the threat level from Israel was reportedly raised to “critical.”
This decision stems from concerns within the Pentagon that Israel is making special efforts to monitor high-ranking U.S. officials in order to obtain information about internal discussions and decision-making by the Trump administration regarding conflicts in the Middle East.
According to one current U.S. official, the DIA assessment includes a seven-page document and contains a diagram. The document cites a number of specific incidents that have heightened U.S. concerns.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., stated that claims that Israel is spying on the U.S. are “absolutely false.” “Israel does not collect intelligence on American organizations, let alone U.S. government officials. The activities of Israeli intelligence agencies are directed against enemies, not allies. Any claims to the contrary are either false or politically motivated,” he said.
The Pentagon declined to comment. A White House spokesperson added: “This story is completely false and comes from someone who has no idea what is going on.”
The Pentagonhas released $400 million in aid to Ukraine following a delay, according to Hegset.
U.S. President Donald Trump officially confirmed reports that during a recent phone call, he called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “crazy” and cursed at him. The main reason for the American leader’s emotional outburst was the Israeli army’s latest escalation of hostilities in Lebanon, which threatened to derail Washington’s strategic negotiations with Tehran.
NBC: The Pentagon has stepped up counterintelligence efforts due to the situation with Israel.
