High-ranking US military officials subjected to polygraph tests over information leaks: CBS

US investigators in August administered polygraph tests to 50 military officers and civilian officials following leaks concerning depleted American munitions stocks, according to multiple media reports on Friday.

The probe targeted personnel with the Joint Staff, a group of senior military leaders advising the president, focusing on leaks regarding shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors due to the war with Iran, The New York Times reported.

A CBS News report revealed that the FBI was not involved in conducting the tests, as the military utilised its internal investigators. Not all senior leaders were tested; the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, was excluded from the sweep.

US President Donald Trump is reportedly furious about the unauthorised disclosures.

No officials failed the polygraph questions designed to determine if they leaked information to the media, according to CBS News. Investigators were also concerned about whether a government official was potentially operating as a foreign spy because access to the specific munitions data was highly restricted, it said.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the agency "does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters" but takes classified leaks "extremely seriously and investigates accordingly."

Trump denied the reported strategic shortages, insisting the military possesses "massive amounts" of weaponry. Trump labelled the disclosures as "treasonous statements" and "fake news," warning that those responsible would be "hunted down" and face severe prison sentences.

The polygraph sweep followed separate unauthorised disclosures, including a leaked portion of the Secretary of Defence Orders Book. The document showed six four-star leaders formally expressing dissent about extending large-scale operations against Iran, warning the war is "unsustainable" and erodes global readiness.

Parnell condemned the leak as a "crime" and "a betrayal of the force" and said much of the reporting was inaccurate.

US Congressman questions Trump administration claims on Iran

Earlier, US Congressman Ted Lieu questioned the Trump administration’s claims that Iran was a "failed state”, asking: “Then how does Iran keep launching drones and missiles at our bases and our allies?” according to Al Jazeera.

Speaking with US broadcaster MS Now, Lieu said, “how come the average price of gas is $4.12 across America?”

“The White House is clearly not telling the truth...They need to come clean to the American people. How are we going to exit this endless war in Iran instead of trading strikes back and forth?”

Separately, according to Axios, the Trump administration is also drafting a post-war plan for the Middle East.

While in the early stages of drafting, the outlet said that it was intended to guide the US approach in the Middle East after the Iran war ended.