The Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has raised the assessed threat level regarding Israeli espionage from 'high' to 'critical' in recent weeks, as reported by US media outlets. NBC News first reported this change, followed by The New York Times. The reports cite anonymous sources indicating that this decision was influenced by concerns over aggressive tactics in the context of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The DIA's alert level increase is reportedly due to fears that Israel is attempting to surveil senior US officials to gain insight into internal discussions at the White House about the ongoing conflict. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have publicly expressed differing views on the war, which began on February 28.
Trump has indicated a desire to end the conflict amid domestic political pressures, while Netanyahu has called for the continuation of military actions despite a ceasefire declared on April 8. The New York Times noted that the DIA has observed an increase in Israeli spying activities since late 2024, coinciding with heightened US pressure on Israel regarding its actions in Gaza.
The reports also mention that Israeli efforts to monitor US officials, including Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Pentagon policy officials, have been documented. While both NBC News and The New York Times relied on unnamed US officials for their information, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense described the reports as 'false.'
The concerns raised by these reports may prompt discussions about the intelligence and military collaboration between the US and Israel, especially given the significant military aid the US has provided to Israel over the years. The US Congress is currently reviewing a section of a new defense bill aimed at enhancing research and development collaboration between the two nations.
The New York Times also highlighted that the DIA's designation of Israel's activities as a critical threat exceeds that of other allies and countries with more strained relations. Past incidents, such as attempts by Israeli military intelligence to install listening devices at DIA headquarters in 2021 and in a Secret Service vehicle in 2025, were also referenced in the report.
