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Leaked documents show US intelligence on Israel's plans to attack Iran, sources say
The US is investigating a leak of highly classified US intelligence about Israel’s plans for retaliation against Iran, according to three people familiar with the matter. One of the people familiar confirmed the documents’ authenticity.
The leak is “deeply concerning,” a US official told CNN.
The documents, dated October 15 and 16, began circulating online on Friday after being posted on Telegram by an account called Middle East Spectator.
They are marked as top secret and have markings indicating that they are only meant to be seen by the US and its Five Eyes allies: Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
They describe preparations Israel appears to be making for a strike against Iran. One of the documents, which says it was compiled by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, says the plans involve Israel moving munitions around.
Another document says it is sourced to the National Security Agency and outlines Israeli Air Force exercises involving air-to-surface missiles, also believed to be in preparation for a strike on Iran. CNN is not quoting directly or showing the documents.
Investigation underway: A US official says the investigation is examining who had access to the alleged Pentagon document. Any such leak automatically would trigger an FBI investigation alongside the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies. The FBI declined to comment.
The National Security Council referred CNN to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Pentagon for comment. The Pentagon and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency declined to comment. CNN has reached out to the National Security Agency for comment.
It is not clear how the documents became public, or whether they were hacked or deliberately leaked.
CNN’s Evan Perez contributed to this report.
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