The Biden administration is grappling with a new crisis as classified U.S. documents detailing Israeli military plans to strike Iran have surfaced online, sparking concerns over national security and diplomatic fallout. President Joe Biden is "deeply concerned" about the unauthorized release of sensitive intelligence assessments, a leak that could further escalate tensions in an already volatile region.
The classified documents, which first appeared on the messaging app Telegram last week, outlined satellite imagery analysis of Israeli military activities and described the handling of air-launched ballistic missiles as well as covert drone operations. According to a White House statement, Biden has been briefed on the matter, and a thorough investigation is underway to determine how the documents were made public.
White House spokesperson John Kirby addressed the issue during a press briefing on Monday. "The president remains deeply concerned about any leakage of classified information into the public domain. That is not supposed to happen, and it's unacceptable when it does," Kirby said, adding that it is unclear whether the documents were leaked deliberately or as a result of a cyberattack.
The leaked documents suggest that Israeli forces have been conducting covert preparations for a potential strike on Iran, but the analysis prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency indicated that it could not "definitively predict the scale and scope" of any such operation. This revelation comes at a particularly tense time, with Iran and Israel already at odds over recent incidents, including missile attacks and high-profile assassinations.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed that an investigation into the leak is currently underway, stating that he will receive a full briefing on the matter. "This is a significant breach that could have serious implications for both U.S. and Israeli security," Johnson told reporters on Sunday.
Washington has experienced several high-profile leaks of classified government information in recent years. The 2023 leak of military intelligence assessments by a U.S. National Guard airman drew international attention, and the current situation is shaping up to be equally consequential. On Friday, Biden expressed optimism that tensions between Israel and Iran could be contained, but this leak may now complicate any diplomatic overtures.
Israel is widely believed to be preparing an assault against Iran, while Tehran has vowed to respond forcefully to any new attack. The situation has been further aggravated by Israel's killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this month, which prompted a barrage of retaliatory missile strikes on Israeli military installations. The assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and an Iranian general in Beirut added to the already heightened tensions.
Biden, while on a trip to Germany last week, hinted at his awareness of Israel's potential response to Iran but chose not to divulge details. "I am aware of how Israel plans to respond and the timing," Biden told reporters, adding that he believes there is an "opportunity" to prevent the situation from spiraling into a broader conflict. However, Biden has yet to announce any specific diplomatic initiative aimed at de-escalation.
The leak has prompted strong reactions from Iranian officials. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed outrage over Biden's comments and the leaked documents. "Anybody with knowledge or understanding of 'how and when Israel was going to attack Iran' and/or providing the means and backing for such folly should logically be held accountable for any possible casualty," Araghchi posted on social media.
On Monday, Iran's Tasnim news agency quoted an unnamed military source, warning that Iran's response to any Israeli attack would be "decisive" and "beyond the estimates of Zionists." These threats come as the Biden administration expands sanctions on Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors in retaliation for Iran's recent missile attacks on Israel.
The White House said the Justice and Defense Departments are investigating the source of the leak, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Israel to push for more humanitarian aid to Gaza and explore the possibility of a ceasefire. "We feel strongly that there is an opportunity to move the ball forward," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said, referencing potential diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, domestic voices in the U.S. have also been critical. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, a Republican, called the leak "unconscionable" and emphasized the potential risk to Israeli security. "To think that there's this huge breach of trust, which appears to be, is just unconscionable on our part," Moore Capito told NewsNation.
The leaked documents detail Israeli aerial movements and specific dates, which, according to Moore Capito, could allow Iran to "defend themselves or counterattack." These disclosures not only jeopardize Israeli plans but also have the potential to severely impact U.S.-Israel relations at a time when coordination between the two countries is critical.
The Telegram channel Middle East Spectator, which first posted the classified files, has denied any affiliation with the Iranian government. However, the channel frequently shares messages that align with Tehran's stance. The authenticity of the documents has been confirmed by multiple U.S. media outlets, citing anonymous U.S. officials.
