The United States wants to know who leaked classified U.S. documents detailing sensitive sections of Israel’s plan to attack Iran. U.S. intelligence launched a probe into the source of the leaked information published by a pro-Iranian media site on Friday, Oct. 18.
The pair of documents are based on satellite imagery from Oct. 15 to Oct. 17, showing Israel moving military equipment as it prepares to strike Iran. The information describes ballistic and air-to-surface missile preparation and reveals Israeli drone movements.
Israel has vowed a precise strike aimed at Iran after Tehran launched a barrage of missiles at Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 1. The leaked documents are confirmed to be from the U.S. National Geospatial Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency, and originally shared by a pro-Iranian Telegram account.
Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., called the leak “very concerning.”
A former U.S. intelligence official told the BBC the unapproved release is likely an attempt to expose the scale of retaliation, and to potentially disrupt it.
The New York Times reports the leak may come from a low-level employee, and U.S. officials maintain the documents are not a “comprehensive assessment” of what the United States knows about Israel’s intentions.