The Pentagon has raised its counterintelligence threat level regarding Israel due to concerns about increased espionage activities directed at the U.S. This assessment was issued by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) amid rising tensions between the two nations concerning the conflict with Iran. According to U.S. officials, the threat level for Israel has been designated as 'critical' due to concerns that Israel is surveilling U.S. officials to gather information on the Trump administration's decision-making related to Middle Eastern conflicts.
The DIA's assessment includes a seven-page document detailing Israel's capabilities in human espionage and technical collection. An Israeli embassy spokesperson denied the allegations, stating that Israel does not spy on the U.S. and that its intelligence efforts are focused on its enemies. A White House official also dismissed the report as false.
Despite the heightened alert, U.S. officials indicated that there has been no impact on the ongoing intelligence-sharing between the two countries. The situation has arisen as President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu have had disagreements over military operations in the region, particularly regarding Iran and Hezbollah. U.S. officials are expected to exercise increased caution when engaging with Israeli officials during visits to Israel, although the FBI and other agencies continue to monitor espionage activities from both allies and adversaries.
