The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency has elevated the threat posed by Israeli espionage to the highest level, citing concerns over eavesdropping on U.S. negotiations with Iran and Lebanon. The assessment, rated 'critical,' comes amid growing friction between the U.S. and Israel.
The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has elevated the threat posed by Israeli espionage to its highest level, citing growing tensions over Iran and Lebanon. This assessment, circulated internally in recent weeks, includes a seven-page document and a chart rating Israel's human and technical intelligence-gathering capabilities as "critical." US counterintelligence officials are increasingly concerned about Israeli spying activities targeting the US, including efforts to gain insight into the Trump administration's deliberations on Iran and Lebanon. The assessment reportedly cites several specific incidents, although sources declined to identify them. The aggressiveness of Israeli spy services in surveilling top US officials since the start of Trump's second term has been described as "unhinged." While espionage between allies is common, Israel's recent activities are said to have gone beyond normal expectations, leading to the heightened threat assessment. The Pentagon declined to comment. A White House official stated the "entire story is false," while an Israeli Embassy spokesperson dismissed the report as "politically motivated" and asserted that Israeli intelligence efforts are aimed at its enemies, not its allies. This development occurs amid growing friction between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran and Israel's military operations in Lebanon. Despite a fragile US-Iran ceasefire, negotiations on a broader deal remain deadlocked. Trump acknowledged reports that he called Netanyahu "f**king crazy" during a heated phone conversation over Israel's actions in Lebanon, accusing Netanyahu of jeopardizing US negotiations with Iran by continuing operations in Lebanon. Despite announcements of truces and ceasefires, hostilities have continued.
This heightened threat assessment signifies a significant deterioration in trust between the US and Israel, potentially impacting diplomatic efforts and security cooperation, particularly concerning Iran and regional stability.