TEHRAN, June 6 — A recent internal message from the Defense Intelligence Agency has raised the threat level for Israel to “critical” amid rising tensions between the US and Israel over the war with Iran, according to two US officials who spoke to NBC News. The new designation comes from heightened concerns in the Pentagon that Israel is spying on top US officials to gather information on internal US deliberations about the war.
This move has significant implications for US officials traveling to Israel, who may now be advised to carry burner phones to protect their communications. The seven-page document that accompanied the internal message described specific incidents that sparked concerns about Israeli spying.
While the details of these incidents are not publicly available, the officials who spoke to NBC News said that Israel’s recent efforts went far beyond what is considered normal in the intelligence world. This assessment is particularly notable given the close alliance between the US and Israel, and the fact that both countries have a long history of cooperation on security issues.
As one White House official said, “This entire story is false and sourced to someone who doesn’t have any knowledge of what’s going on,” but the fact that the Pentagon has taken this step suggests that there are real concerns about Israeli spying.
The Israeli embassy has rejected the NBC report, saying “Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, let alone U.S. government officials.” This denial is consistent with Israel’s long-standing position that it does not spy on its allies, but the fact that the Pentagon has raised the threat level suggests that there may be more to the story. The officials who spoke to NBC News said that it was common for both allies and adversaries to spy on one another, but that Israel’s recent efforts were particularly aggressive.
This has significant implications for the relationship between the US and Israel, and could potentially damage the trust between the two countries. About two weeks ago, Israeli security forces told the New York Times that Israel was pushed to the side by the Trump administration in the ceasefire talks between the US and Iran. This perceived slight may have contributed to Israel’s decision to step up its spying efforts, as the country seeks to gather more information about US deliberations on the war.
As the officials who spoke to NBC News said, “In the absence of information from their closest allies, the Israelis have had to learn what they can about the contacts between Washington and Tehran through ties with regional leaders and diplomats.” This dynamic is likely to continue, as the US and Israel navigate their complex and often fraught relationship. The fact that the Pentagon has raised the threat level for Israel to “critical” suggests that the US is taking the threat of Israeli spying very seriously.
This move may lead to increased precautions for US officials traveling to Israel, including the use of burner phones and other secure communication methods. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important to watch for any further developments or statements from the US or Israeli governments. The White House and the Israeli embassy have both denied the NBC report, but the fact that the Pentagon has taken this step suggests that there may be more to the story.
As the US and Israel continue to navigate their complex relationship, it will be important to stay vigilant and watch for any further signs of tension or conflict. Looking ahead, it will be important to watch for any further developments in the relationship between the US and Israel.
The fact that the Pentagon has raised the threat level for Israel to “critical” suggests that the US is taking the threat of Israeli spying very seriously, and that the situation may continue to escalate. As the US and Israel navigate their complex and often fraught relationship, it will be important to stay informed and watch for any further signs of tension or conflict.
With the situation continuing to evolve, one thing is certain: the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the US-Israel relationship, and the implications for global security will be significant.
