U.S. officials are investigating the unauthorized release of top-secret documents detailing Israel’s military plans to strike Iran, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The classified documents, which assess Israel’s military movements following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on October 1, were posted on the Telegram messaging app, raising concerns about the breach.
The documents, reportedly from the U.S. Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, suggest that Israel is preparing for a military response to the missile attack. Shared within the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, which includes the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, the documents have been confirmed as legitimate by one U.S. official. Three others, speaking anonymously to the Associated Press, said the U.S. is working to trace who had access to the documents before they appeared online.
The investigation is focused on determining whether the leak was intentional or the result of a hack, as well as assessing the potential compromise of other intelligence. Officials are also looking into how the documents were acquired and the broader security implications.
The documents first surfaced on Telegram, where they were attributed to an alleged insider within the U.S. intelligence community. The leak is particularly concerning given its sensitive nature, involving satellite imagery and intelligence on Israeli military preparations.
The U.S. has reportedly urged Israel to capitalize on its recent military success against Hamas and pursue a ceasefire in Gaza. Simultaneously, Washington has cautioned Israel against escalating tensions in Lebanon, which could provoke a wider conflict. Despite this, Israeli leadership has emphasized that it will not leave Iran’s missile strike unanswered.
While the Pentagon acknowledged the reports of the leak, it declined to comment further. The Israeli military has also not yet responded to requests for comment.
Notably, one of the leaked documents bears similarities to previous material from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, which had been leaked by Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira in March, relating to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The Telegram channel responsible for posting the documents identifies itself as being based in Tehran and has previously shared pro-Iran content. This channel has also expressed support for Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” which includes various militant groups backed by the Islamic Republic.
