Pentagon Raises Counterintelligence Alert Over Alleged Israeli Espionage Concerns

The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly elevated its counterintelligence threat level amid growing concerns over alleged aggressive Israeli intelligence-gathering activities targeting American officials, according to a report by NBC News.

Sources familiar with the matter said the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has classified the potential threat posed by Israeli intelligence operations as “critical,” its highest assessment level. The move follows concerns that Israel may be seeking sensitive information about internal Trump administration discussions and policy decisions related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to officials cited in the report, a seven-page intelligence document details several incidents that have heightened U.S. concerns regarding Israeli efforts to obtain information about American deliberations on regional security issues.

The warning comes at a time of reported disagreements between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over issues including a potential conflict with Iran and Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. U.S. officials believe Israeli intelligence agencies are particularly interested in determining whether Washington is considering a major military response against Iran or pursuing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “completely false.” The Pentagon declined to comment on the report, while a White House official also rejected the claims.

Security experts note that Israeli intelligence services have long been known for their assertive intelligence-gathering capabilities and their strong interest in understanding U.S. policy decisions that could affect Israel’s security environment.

Emily Harding, Vice President of the Defense and Security Department at Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Israeli intelligence agencies are highly proactive and consistently seek insight into U.S. strategic thinking. According to Harding, their primary objective is often to understand what actions the United States may take in regions critical to Israeli national security.

Neither the Pentagon nor U.S. intelligence agencies have publicly released evidence supporting the reported assessment, and the claims remain disputed by both Israeli and White House officials.