Recent U.S. intelligence assessments have raised concerns about alleged Israeli efforts to monitor American officials involved in negotiations aimed at securing a peace agreement with Iran, amid broader worries about Israel’s counterintelligence activities.
While intelligence gathering between the United States and Israel has long been an accepted reality despite the countries’ close alliance, some American officials believe recent Israeli actions have gone beyond traditional intelligence collection practices.
According to the reports, Israeli intelligence agencies are suspected of intensifying efforts to obtain information about U.S. negotiating positions and internal policy discussions related to talks with Iran.
Among the concerns cited are alleged attempts to monitor senior American officials involved in shaping Middle East policy, including presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge A. Colby, and senior Defense Department official Michael P. DiMino IV.
The intelligence findings come as Washington continues diplomatic efforts to reach a broader agreement with Tehran, while Israel has expressed skepticism about the prospects of a negotiated settlement.
A separate assessment prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency and other military intelligence organizations reportedly concluded that the counterintelligence threat posed by Israel has recently been elevated from “high” to “critical,” the highest level in the classification system.
The report, which also involved contributions from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, examines a series of incidents spanning several years and outlines concerns about alleged Israeli intelligence operations targeting U.S. military personnel and government officials.
Officials familiar with the assessments said the reports reflect growing concern within parts of the U.S. intelligence and defense communities about efforts to gain access to sensitive information related to American national security and foreign policy decision-making.
Neither U.S. nor Israeli authorities have publicly released details of the intelligence assessments.
The reported concerns emerge at a time of increasing policy differences between Washington and Jerusalem over the future of negotiations with Iran and broader security issues in the Middle East.
Despite their close strategic partnership, the United States and Israel have historically engaged in intelligence operations against one another, a reality that officials on both sides have generally managed without allowing it to disrupt the broader alliance.
However, some U.S. officials believe the latest allegations, if substantiated, could complicate an already delicate diplomatic environment surrounding efforts to secure a lasting agreement with Iran.
