Fears of security breach rise as US intel on Israel’s Iran plans leaked on Telegram
A new surface-to-surface 4th generation Khorramshahr ballistic missile called Khaibar with a range of 2,000 km is launched at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this picture obtained on May 25, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS
US officials are expressing deep concern over a potential major security breach after two alleged US intelligence documents regarding Israel's preparations for an attack on Iran were leaked on a Telegram channel linked to Iran.
The timing is significant as Israel has just completed weeks of preparations for a retaliatory strike on Iran, following an October 1st ballistic missile attack on Israeli targets. The leak could be aimed at disrupting Israel’s plans.
Both the Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have refused to comment on the documents but have not denied their authenticity.
The leak was made public by a Telegram channel named "Middle East Spectator," which claimed to have obtained the documents from a source within the US intelligence community. The channel, known for publishing pro-Iranian content, is reportedly based in Iran.
One of the leaked documents is said to include a Visual Intelligence report from the US Department of Defense's National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), shared within the intelligence community earlier this week. It allegedly details Israeli Air Force preparations, including the transfer of advanced munitions intended for an attack on Iran.
The report further claims that US signals intelligence has monitored a large Israeli Air Force exercise, likely involving fighter jets and intelligence planes, training for an attack on Iran. It also outlines Israeli drone unit preparations for the operation.
If accurate, the leak reveals extensive US surveillance of Israel’s military activities, including the use of satellite intelligence to track operations at Israeli airbases. This could point to a serious breach within the US intelligence community, allowing classified information to reach an Iranian-linked Telegram channel.
A US official, speaking to Axios, expressed significant concern over the leak but did not believe it would alter Israel’s operational plans. Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official confirmed that the Israeli defense establishment is aware of the leak and is taking it seriously.