Pentagon said to raise threat level on Israel spying to ‘critical’ | US-Israel war on Iran News
Pentagon Raises Espionage Threat Level Amid U.S.-Israeli Tensions
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has elevated its assessment of Israeli espionage activity against the United States from “high” to “critical,” according to reports from multiple media outlets.
NBC News first reported the shift on Friday, followed by coverage from The New York Times the next day. Citing anonymous sources, both outlets indicated that the change reflects growing concerns about Israel’s aggressive surveillance tactics connected to the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which began on February 28.
The DIA’s heightened alert comes amid apprehensions that Israel is attempting to monitor high-ranking U.S. officials to gain insight into internal discussions at the White House regarding efforts to end the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have publicly diverged in their strategies related to the war. Trump has called for an end to hostilities amid increasing political pressure in the United States, while Netanyahu has urged for the resumption of military action, despite a ceasefire agreement reached on April 8. Although the violence has largely subsided since the truce, negotiations for a lasting resolution have faced significant challenges.
Reports from The New York Times highlight that while Israel has historically engaged in espionage activities against the U.S., a notable increase in these efforts began in late 2024 when President Joe Biden intensified pressure on Israel regarding its military actions in Gaza. This upward trend continued into 2025, coinciding with Trump’s return to the presidency and his administration’s deliberations concerning Iran.
The DIA’s recent assessments also indicate that Israel has allegedly targeted senior officials such as Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Elbridge Colby, a senior Pentagon policy official, along with his deputy, Michael DiMino IV. Witkoff previously led negotiations during the nuclear talks preceding the initial U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran.
Both NBC and The New York Times used unnamed U.S. officials as sources for their reporting. The U.S. Department of Defense did not respond immediately to a request for comment from Al Jazeera. However, a spokesperson for the Pentagon informed both news outlets that the allegations were “false.”
Despite the denial, these revelations raise questions about the intelligence and military collaboration between the two nations. The United States has provided significant military aid and weaponry to Israel over the years, continuing through the current operations in Gaza. Additionally, Congress is presently debating a section of a new defense bill that would enhance the integration of military research and development between the U.S. and Israel to unprecedented levels.
While intelligence agencies in the U.S. and allied nations routinely monitor each other, officials have noted that Israel’s recent activities stand out. The New York Times reported that the DIA’s reclassification of the threat level surpasses those assigned to other allies and nations with contentious relationships.
Past incidents include an alleged attempt by Israeli military intelligence to plant listening devices at DIA headquarters in 2021, and in 2025, Israel’s Shin Bet attempted to install a similar device in a U.S. Secret Service vehicle.
