The United States government is investigating the unauthorized release of classified documents that detail Israel’s military strategies concerning a potential attack on Iran.
According to three U.S. officials who spoke to the Associated Press, a fourth source confirmed the legitimacy of the documents, which were attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
The top-secret documents highlight that Israel is mobilizing military assets in preparation for a military response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack on October 1.
Notably, the documents were sharable within the intelligence-sharing alliance known as the “Five Eyes,” which includes the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
First reported by CNN and Axios, the sensitive materials were posted on the Telegram messaging app, prompting immediate concerns over national security.
Officials, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that the investigation is probing the origins of the leak, including whether it stemmed from an intentional disclosure by someone within the U.S. intelligence community or if it was acquired through alternative means such as hacking.
AP reports that the U.S. has urged Israel to capitalize on the elimination of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar by pushing for a cease-fire in Gaza.
The U.S. has also strongly cautioned Israel against escalating military operations in northern Lebanon, warning of the potential for a wider regional conflict.
Despite this, Israeli leadership has reiterated its stance of responding decisively to missile attacks from Iran.
In a statement, the Pentagon acknowledged awareness of the leaked documents but declined to provide further comment.
The Israeli military has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the leak of two documents, which first surfaced online Friday via a Telegram channel claiming the leak originated from within the U.S. intelligence community.
The information appears to have been compiled through satellite image analysis.
One of the leaked documents was formatted similarly to materials from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, previously leaked by Jack Teixeira, an Air National Guardsman who pleaded guilty in March to charges related to disclosing highly classified military documents concerning Russia’s war in Ukraine and other national security matters.
The Telegram channel responsible for the leak identifies itself as based in Tehran, Iran’s capital, and has previously shared content featuring Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as material supporting Tehran’s so-called “Axis of Resistance,” which includes militant groups in the Middle East armed by the Islamic Republic.
