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Senior Pentagon official leaked Israel’s plans to strike Iran
According to a senior Pentagon Source, Sky News Arabic reported that the leaker of classified documents on Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran was a senior staffer in Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s office.
The alleged employee was recognized as Ariane Tabatabai, an Iranian American in charge of Austin’s special operations office, who had clearance to access highly classified information.
FBI Statement
On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that the FBI was looking into the release of two extremely sensitive intelligence documents. “The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community,” according to the Post, the Federal Bureau of Investigation stated in a press release.
An inquiry was initiated to look into the release of the documents that surfaced on a telegram channel, causing a significant media buzz. Officials in Washington showed their strong worry about the leak.
“Five Eyes” Alliance
The U.S. Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency (GNA) have credited the documents, reporting that Israel is still positioning military resources for a potential military strike following Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Oct. 1.
They could be shared within the “Five Eyes” alliance, consisting of the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The papers lack specifics or a comprehensive view of the attack’s targets, focusing instead on general plans for a long-distance Air Force assault, leaving intelligence experts and Revolutionary Guards Air Force to deduce from their existing knowledge.
Images’ Analysis
According to the analysis of multiple images, the Air Force engaged in exercises with air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBM), such as 16 “Golden Horizon” missiles and 40 “Rocks” or ISO2 missiles, as mentioned in one of the documents. The papers also mention “covert drone activity” and thorough deployment exercises. It also covers information about “secret UAV activity,” and alleges that the Air Force carried out a “second large-scale deployment exercise” from October 15 to 16. The report also mentions that there was ASM activity observed at Ramat David and Ramon Air Force Bases during that time.
A recently revealed document, supposedly assessing by the NGA, suggests that the IDF may have also performed an aerial refueling drill on October 16. It includes a side mention of Israel’s potential use of drones for intelligence purposes in Iran and other areas.
Israeli authorities stated that the Pentagon was embarrassed by the leak, coming just a year after a U.S. Air Force IT technician leaked numerous classified documents relating to the Russian war in Ukraine.
The revelation of the leak has caused some discomfort and damage to the credibility of the American security and intelligence agencies, highlighting the close scrutiny the Americans are keeping on Israel despite their strong alliance.
Israeli officials anticipate finding and prosecuting the leaker to prevent future occurrences, but assure that it will not cause Israelis to withhold information from Americans, despite possibly increasing existing mistrust towards Washington.
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