Two alleged U.S. intelligence documents regarding Israel's military preparations for an attack on Iran were leaked on a Telegram account linked to Iran, raising alarms within U.S. defense circles, according to Axios.
Why It Matters
The disclosure occurs at a crucial time when Israel is completing its war preparations in the wake of an October 1 ballistic missile assault by Iran. It's possible that the breach is an attempt to thwart Israel's expected reaction. Although they did not contest the documents' veracity, the Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on them, Axios reported.
The Leak
The Middle East Spectator, a pro-Iranian Telegram channel, reported that it had obtained papers from an American intelligence source that described Israel's operational intentions. This station, which claims to be headquartered in Iran, frequently publishes information that supports Iran.
One of the purported papers is a Visual Intelligence report that was disseminated throughout the U.S. intelligence community by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) of the Department of Defense. The papers provide specifics on what goes on at Israeli Air Force sites, including the transfer of weapons that were probably intended for an attack on Iran, as per Axios.
Israeli Military Preparations
According to the leaked data, this week saw Israeli Air Force exercises including fighter and intelligence aircraft. According to reports, the purpose of these drills was to get ready for a possible attack on Iran. Further information implies that Israeli drone units were getting ready for the assault as well, the report said.
Close U.S. Surveillance
If the papers are true, it looks like American intelligence has been keeping a close eye on Israel's military activities. The monitoring, purportedly carried out using satellite technology, has furnished the United States with comprehensive data on the maneuvers and undertakings within Israeli Air Force installations.
Security Breach Concerns
The disclosure suggests a serious security lapse in the American intelligence community. A Telegram account linked to Iran appears to have received sensitive, classified material, which raises concerns about potential weaknesses in the U.S. intelligence system, Axios reported.
Official Reactions
While acknowledging that the breach would probably not affect Israel's military preparations against Iran, a U.S. official voiced grave concerns about it. A senior Israeli defense official said that the leak had been discovered and stressed how seriously it was being handled.
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