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US investigates leak of Israel plan to attack Iran | US investigates leak of Israel plan to attack Iran |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Israel was targeted by Iranian missiles on 1 October | Israel was targeted by Iranian missiles on 1 October |
The US is investigating a leak of classified documents describing an American assessment of Israel's plans to attack Iran, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed. | The US is investigating a leak of classified documents describing an American assessment of Israel's plans to attack Iran, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson has confirmed. |
The documents were reportedly published online last week and are said to describe satellite imagery showing Israel moving military assets in preparation for a response to Iran's missile attack on 1 October. | The documents were reportedly published online last week and are said to describe satellite imagery showing Israel moving military assets in preparation for a response to Iran's missile attack on 1 October. |
The documents, marked top secret, were shareable within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the US, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, CBS, the BBC's US partner, reported. | The documents, marked top secret, were shareable within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the US, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, CBS, the BBC's US partner, reported. |
For weeks Israel has been deciding how and when to respond to Iran's latest missile attack. Israel's defence minister has warned it will be “deadly, precise and surprising”. | For weeks Israel has been deciding how and when to respond to Iran's latest missile attack. Israel's defence minister has warned it will be “deadly, precise and surprising”. |
The two documents reportedly appear to be attributed to the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency (NSA), and were published on an Iranian-aligned Telegram account on Friday. | The two documents reportedly appear to be attributed to the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency (NSA), and were published on an Iranian-aligned Telegram account on Friday. |
Johnson, the highest-ranking member of Congress, told CNN on Sunday that "the leak is very concerning". | Johnson, the highest-ranking member of Congress, told CNN on Sunday that "the leak is very concerning". |
"There's some serious allegations being made, there's an investigation under way, and I'll get a briefing on that in a couple of hours," the Louisiana Republican lawmaker said. | "There's some serious allegations being made, there's an investigation under way, and I'll get a briefing on that in a couple of hours," the Louisiana Republican lawmaker said. |
The Pentagon confirmed in a statement that it was aware of reports about the documents, but did not comment further. | The Pentagon confirmed in a statement that it was aware of reports about the documents, but did not comment further. |
The US agencies involved, as well as the Israeli government, have not publicly commented. | |
Iran has played down the leak. Its foreign ministry spokesman said the country was prepared to counter Israeli measures no matter what they were. | |
CNN and Axios first reported the alleged leak, which appears to confirm once again that the US spies on its close ally Israel. | |
One document makes a reference to Israel’s nuclear capabilities - which neither the US nor Israel ever officially acknowledge - apparently ruling out the use of such an option in any planned strike. | One document makes a reference to Israel’s nuclear capabilities - which neither the US nor Israel ever officially acknowledge - apparently ruling out the use of such an option in any planned strike. |
One former American intelligence official told the BBC the unauthorised release was probably an attempt to expose the scale of the planned retaliation, possibly to disrupt it. | One former American intelligence official told the BBC the unauthorised release was probably an attempt to expose the scale of the planned retaliation, possibly to disrupt it. |
The US is investigating whether the information was intentionally leaked by a US agent, or whether it was stolen, possibly through hacking, officials told the Associated Press (AP). | The US is investigating whether the information was intentionally leaked by a US agent, or whether it was stolen, possibly through hacking, officials told the Associated Press (AP). |
The two documents appear to be based on satellite information obtained from 15-16 October. | The two documents appear to be based on satellite information obtained from 15-16 October. |
The first is titled: "Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations for Strike on Iran and Conducts a Second Large-Force Employment Exercise," according to Reuters news agency. It describes ballistic and air-to-surface missile handling. | The first is titled: "Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations for Strike on Iran and Conducts a Second Large-Force Employment Exercise," according to Reuters news agency. It describes ballistic and air-to-surface missile handling. |
The second is titled: "Israel: Defense Forces Continue Key Munitions Preparations and Covert UAV Activity Almost Certainly for a Strike on Iran". It discusses Israeli drone movements. | The second is titled: "Israel: Defense Forces Continue Key Munitions Preparations and Covert UAV Activity Almost Certainly for a Strike on Iran". It discusses Israeli drone movements. |
On Friday, US President Joe Biden said he had a "good understanding" of what Israel was planning. | On Friday, US President Joe Biden said he had a "good understanding" of what Israel was planning. |
"Do you have a good understanding of what Israel is going to do right now in response to Iran... and when they will actually respond?" a reporter asked him. | "Do you have a good understanding of what Israel is going to do right now in response to Iran... and when they will actually respond?" a reporter asked him. |
"Yes, and yes," Biden replied. | "Yes, and yes," Biden replied. |
"Can you tell us?" asked the reporter. | "Can you tell us?" asked the reporter. |
"No, and no." | "No, and no." |