The Pentagon has reportedly elevated its assessment of the counterintelligence threat posed by Israel, citing concerns that the close U.S. ally is intensifying efforts to gather information on American policymaking related to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
According to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the matter, the Defense Intelligence Agency recently increased Israel’s counterintelligence threat designation to its highest category, labeled “critical.”
The reassessment comes amid growing policy differences between Washington and Jerusalem over the handling of regional conflicts, particularly the war involving Iran and ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
Officials said the updated assessment was circulated internally within the Defense Intelligence Agency and included a detailed review of Israel’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. The report reportedly concluded that Israel possesses a “critical” capacity for both human intelligence operations and technical surveillance.
According to one official, the assessment also cited several incidents that heightened concerns among U.S. defense and intelligence officials, though specific details were not publicly disclosed.
The primary concern, officials said, is that Israeli intelligence services may be attempting to gain insight into internal discussions and strategic decision-making within the Trump administration regarding Middle East policy.
Israeli officials strongly rejected the allegations.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington described the claims as “completely false,” insisting that Israel does not conduct intelligence operations against U.S. government institutions or officials.
“Israeli intelligence collection efforts are directed at our adversaries, not our allies,” the spokesperson said. “Any suggestion otherwise is inaccurate or politically motivated.”
The Pentagon declined to comment on the reported assessment.
A White House official also dismissed the claims, calling the report inaccurate and stating that it relied on sources lacking direct knowledge of the matter.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the nation’s intelligence community, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
While intelligence gathering among allies is not uncommon, current and former officials said they believe Israel’s recent activities have raised concerns because of their scope and intensity. However, they said it remains unclear whether a specific incident prompted the Defense Intelligence Agency’s decision to elevate the threat level.
The reported reassessment comes during a period of growing strain between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the direction of regional security policy.
According to multiple reports, the two leaders have disagreed on issues ranging from military operations in Lebanon to the future of negotiations with Iran. Trump has pursued diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a broader agreement with Tehran following the ceasefire that took effect in April, while Israeli officials have expressed doubts about Iran’s willingness to honor any negotiated settlement.
Netanyahu has reportedly advocated for a tougher military approach toward Iran and has also differed with Washington over efforts to limit Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Analysts note that Israel has a strong interest in understanding whether the United States intends to pursue a diplomatic resolution with Iran or resume large-scale military operations, making developments inside the Trump administration particularly significant for Israeli policymakers.
The reported intelligence concerns highlight the increasingly complex relationship between two long-standing allies as they navigate diverging views on security and strategy in the Middle East.
