The Pentagon has recently elevated its assessment of counterintelligence threats posed by Israel, marking a significant shift in the relationship between the two allies. This change comes amid rising tensions regarding U.S. policy towards Iran and Israel’s military operations in the region.
According to reports from NBC News, which cites two current U.S. officials and one former official, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has issued a new evaluation indicating that the threat level from Israel has reached a ‘critical’ status. This internal communication reflects concerns that Israel may be engaging in espionage against senior U.S. officials to gain insights into internal discussions and decision-making processes within the Trump administration.
One official noted that the DIA’s assessment includes a seven-page document detailing the capabilities of Israeli intelligence operations, stating that Israel’s ability to conduct espionage through human resources and technical means is currently at a ‘critical level.’
The document reportedly lists specific incidents that have heightened U.S. apprehensions regarding Israeli intelligence activities. In response to these allegations, Israel has firmly denied any wrongdoing. A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington characterized the claims as ‘completely false,’ asserting that Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, particularly government officials. The spokesperson emphasized that Israeli intelligence efforts are directed towards its adversaries, not its allies.
The Pentagon has refrained from commenting on this matter, while a White House official described the narrative as ‘false’ and attributed it to individuals lacking accurate knowledge of the situation.
This escalation in threat assessment coincides with ongoing disagreements between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the conflict with Iran and Israeli operations in Lebanon. While current intelligence-sharing practices between the two nations remain unaffected, U.S. officials have been advised to exercise heightened security measures during visits to Israel and interactions with Israeli officials.
The Pentagon has raised its counterintelligence threat level regarding Israel amid concerns of espionage against U.S. officials. This development highlights growing tensions between the allies, particularly in the context of U.S.-Iran relations.
Source: NBC News