U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that the United States is investigating the leak of a classified document describing its assessment of Israel’s plans to attack Iran.
The documents, posted online last week, reportedly describe satellite imagery showing Israel moving military assets in preparation for an October 1 missile attack by Iran.
The documents are marked top secret and can be shared within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance of the United States, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS.
Israel has been deciding for weeks how and when to respond to Iran’s latest missile attack. Israel’s defense minister warned it would be “lethal, precise and surprising”.
The two documents, which appear to be from the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency (NSA), were reportedly posted on an Iran-aligned Telegram account on Friday.
“This leak is very concerning,” Johnson, the most senior member of Congress, told CNN on Sunday.
“Some serious allegations have been made, the investigation is ongoing, and I will be briefed on the situation within a few hours,” the Louisiana Republican congressman said.
The Pentagon confirmed in a statement that it was aware of reports of the documents but had no further comment.
Relevant U.S. agencies and the Israeli government have not commented publicly on the leak.
The leak, first reported by CNN and Axios, reaffirms U.S. spying on its close ally Israel.
One document referenced Israel’s nuclear capabilities – which neither the United States nor Israel has officially acknowledged – apparently ruling out the use of that option in any planned attack.
A former US intelligence official told the BBC that the unauthorized release was likely to reveal the scale of the planned retaliation and possibly to undermine it.
The United States is investigating whether the information was intentionally leaked by U.S. agents or stolen through hackers, officials told The Associated Press.
The two documents appear to be based on satellite information obtained on October 15 and 16.
According to Reuters, the first headline read: “Israel: Air Force continues to prepare for strikes against Iran and conducts second large-scale force exercise”. It describes the handling of ballistic missiles and air-to-surface missiles.
The second headline read: “Israel: Defense Forces continue critical munitions preparations and covert drone campaign, almost certainly aimed at attacking Iran”. It discusses Israeli drone operations.
On Friday, US President Joe Biden said he had a “good understanding” of Israel’s plans.
“Do you know how Israel will respond to Iran now…and when they will actually respond?” a reporter asked him.
“Yes, yes,” Biden replied.
“Can you tell us?” the reporter asked.
“No, neither.”
