Pentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'

The United States Defence Department has elevated its assessment of the espionage threat posed by Israel to the highest classification of 'critical'. This information has emerged from multiple media reports including NBC News and The New York Times, citing American intelligence and defence officials.

This reassessment comes at a time when the US is seeking diplomatic engagement with Iran, despite Israel's opposition to talks aimed at halting the ongoing conflict, which has now lasted 100 days. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have shown differing approaches regarding the war; while Washington seeks to reduce its involvement, Israel remains focused on destabilising the Iranian government.

Analyst Rob Geist Pinfold highlighted that Iran might interpret this development as an indication of discord among its adversaries. He warned, however, that it also poses risks for Iran, noting that Israel could act independently and without US coordination.

According to reports from NBC News and The New York Times, the Pentagon’s Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has upgraded Israel’s counterintelligence threat level, raising it from 'high' to 'critical'. This categorisation reflects a growing concern regarding Israel's intensified operations to gather intelligence on US military personnel, government officials, and policy discussions, particularly those related to negotiations with Iran.

The danger is perceived to be particularly acute regarding American officials who are pivotal in shaping US policy towards Iran, as the negotiations to end the conflict and its impact on global energy prices continue.

The New York Times relayed information from anonymous current and former US officials, indicating that the focus of Israeli surveillance has intensified recently, with specific emphasis on key figures such as Steve Witkoff, an envoy and lead negotiator, as well as Elbridge A Colby, the Pentagon’s senior policy official, and his deputy, Michael P DiMino IV.

In addition to these concerns, there have also been reports of US defence personnel stationed in Israel discovering software that was covertly installed on their devices, potentially aimed at tapping their communications.

The DIA has indicated a significant uptick in Israeli espionage activities since late 2024, coinciding with the Biden administration's effort to assert pressure on Israel regarding its military actions in Gaza following a series of hostilities attributed to ongoing tensions in the region.

As the war in Lebanon intensifies, reports have surfaced that President Trump expressed frustration towards Netanyahu, reflecting an escalating tension in their relationship. With at least 3,500 fatalities from Israeli air strikes in Lebanon, Trump's insistence on ceasing these operations has come amid ongoing bombardment, which jeopardises diplomatic efforts with Iran that are viewed as interconnected by both factions.

While intelligence sharing is common among allied nations, certain US officials contend that recent Israeli activities exceed traditional expectations of cooperation among allies. Reports indicate that US intelligence agencies have become increasingly wary of Israel seemingly seeking deeper insights into American policy and negotiating positions.

Israel has denied these allegations. An Israeli embassy spokesperson was quoted by NBC as stating it was 'completely false' that Israel gathers intelligence on American entities, particularly government officials. A White House official reportedly dismissed the claims as entirely untrue, stating they originated from someone lacking detailed knowledge of the situation.

Although US-Israeli espionage cases have surfaced in the past, often remaining underreported due to the nations' close ties, the most notable incident involved Jonathan Pollard. Arrested in 1985 for leaking classified information to Israel, Pollard served 30 years in prison and remains a significant point of reference in discussions about espionage within US-Israeli relations.

Andreas Kreig, an academic at King’s College London, remarked that espionage between allied countries is not unusual. He noted that Israel has consistently attempted to penetrate US policymaking through formal and informal channels in order to gain insights into American strategic developments.

Despite these espionage concerns, the United States continues to provide substantial military assistance and weapons sales to Israel, even amid the continuing crisis in Gaza. The US Congress is currently deliberating on a new defence bill, which includes provisions for joint research and development in military technology between the two nations.