By Emmanuel Bobby
Growing policy disagreements between the United States and Israel over the war with Iran have reportedly fueled new concerns inside the Pentagon about Israeli intelligence-gathering activities directed at American officials, according to current and former U.S. government officials familiar with the matter.
The concerns have become significant enough that the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently elevated its counterintelligence assessment regarding Israel to its highest threat category, reflecting fears that Israeli intelligence services may be intensifying efforts to obtain information about internal U.S. decision-making related to conflicts across the Middle East.
The reported assessment comes at a sensitive moment in U.S.-Israeli relations, as leaders in Washington and Jerusalem continue to differ on key questions involving Iran, Lebanon, and the future direction of military operations in the region.
Intelligence Assessment Raises Alarm
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Defense Intelligence Agency recently circulated an internal assessment that increased the counterintelligence threat level associated with Israel to a “critical” designation.
The assessment reportedly includes a detailed seven-page report outlining concerns about Israeli intelligence capabilities and activities.
Officials said the document characterizes Israel’s ability to conduct both human intelligence operations and sophisticated technical surveillance as operating at a critical level.
The assessment allegedly cites several incidents that contributed to the decision to elevate the warning level, though specific details about those incidents have not been publicly disclosed.
Sources familiar with the report said Pentagon officials are particularly concerned about efforts to collect information regarding internal discussions within the Trump administration about the war with Iran and broader Middle East policy.
The assessment reportedly reflects worries that Israeli intelligence agencies are seeking deeper insight into U.S. strategic planning, military options, and diplomatic calculations at a time when disagreements between the two allies have become more visible.
Israel Strongly Rejects Allegations
Israeli officials have forcefully denied claims that Israel conducts espionage against the United States government.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in Washington described the allegations as entirely false and rejected suggestions that Israeli intelligence services target American officials.
According to the embassy, Israeli intelligence collection efforts focus on hostile actors and security threats rather than allied governments.
The spokesperson said claims that Israel spies on U.S. government personnel are inaccurate and politically motivated.
Israeli officials have long emphasized the close intelligence partnership between the two countries, arguing that cooperation on counterterrorism, regional security, and military operations provides mutual benefits that outweigh occasional disagreements.
U.S. Government Offers Mixed Responses
The Pentagon declined to comment on reports regarding the alleged intelligence assessment.
Meanwhile, a White House official dismissed the story entirely, arguing that the claims were based on inaccurate information and did not reflect actual government assessments.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees the broader U.S. intelligence community, did not publicly respond to requests for comment.
The differing reactions highlight the sensitivity surrounding intelligence matters, particularly when they involve close allies rather than traditional adversaries.
Government officials rarely discuss counterintelligence assessments publicly because doing so could reveal sources, methods, or ongoing investigations.
Espionage Among Allies Is Not Unusual
While the allegations have generated attention, intelligence experts note that espionage between allied nations is not uncommon.
Countries frequently gather information on partners and allies in order to better understand policy intentions, military planning, economic priorities, and diplomatic strategies.
Current and former U.S. officials familiar with the situation, however, argue that the recent concerns involve activity they believe exceeds what is typically expected among friendly governments.
Officials said they are not aware of a single event that triggered the reported change in assessment. Instead, concerns appear to have accumulated over time as intelligence agencies monitored developments and patterns of activity.
The situation reflects a longstanding reality of international relations: even close allies often seek information about one another to protect national interests and gain strategic advantages.
Growing Tensions Over Iran
The timing of the reported assessment is closely tied to increasing friction between the administrations of President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although the two countries remain strategic partners, disagreements have emerged regarding how to handle the conflict with Iran.
Since a ceasefire was implemented earlier this year, the Trump administration has focused heavily on negotiating a broader diplomatic agreement aimed at ending the conflict and preventing further escalation.
Israeli leaders have expressed skepticism about whether Iran can be trusted to honor such an agreement.
Netanyahu has reportedly advocated for maintaining military pressure and has pushed for renewed strikes against Iranian targets, arguing that Tehran’s capabilities must be further degraded before any long-term settlement can be considered.
These differences have reportedly led to tense discussions between the two governments and raised questions about whether their strategic objectives remain fully aligned.
Lebanon Adds Another Layer of Disagreement
Differences over military operations in Lebanon have also contributed to tensions between Washington and Jerusalem.
The Trump administration has encouraged restraint and has supported diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing violence involving the Iranian-backed group Hezbollah.
Israeli officials, however, continue to view Hezbollah as a major threat and have maintained military operations in southern Lebanon.
The disagreement has become increasingly important because Iran has reportedly linked any lasting ceasefire agreement to developments in Lebanon.
As a result, conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, and the Persian Gulf have become interconnected, complicating efforts to achieve broader regional stability.
Analysts say Israeli intelligence agencies are likely eager to understand whether Washington intends to pursue additional military action or continue emphasizing diplomacy.
Practical Impact on U.S. Officials
Current and former officials say the most immediate consequence of the heightened concerns is likely to be increased caution among American personnel traveling to Israel or meeting with Israeli counterparts.
According to sources familiar with existing security procedures, many senior U.S. officials already take extraordinary precautions when conducting sensitive business in Israel.
These measures can include the use of temporary communication devices, enhanced cybersecurity protections, and careful management of conversations involving classified information.
Officials noted that such precautions are not unique to Israel and are often employed during visits to numerous countries around the world.
However, the reported assessment may lead agencies to place additional emphasis on counterintelligence awareness and protective measures.
Importantly, officials said there has been no indication that intelligence-sharing between the United States and Israel has been reduced.
The two countries continue to exchange large amounts of intelligence daily, particularly regarding developments involving Iran, terrorism, regional security, and military operations.
Israel’s Reputation for Aggressive Intelligence Operations
According to intelligence experts and former national security officials, Israel has long maintained a reputation for conducting aggressive intelligence operations worldwide.
The country’s intelligence agencies are widely regarded as among the most capable and sophisticated in the world.
Many analysts believe Israel places a particularly high value on gathering information that could affect its national security, especially regarding developments in the Middle East.
Emily Harding of the Center for Strategic and International Studies described Israel’s intelligence services as exceptionally active and highly motivated to understand American decision-making.
Experts note that because the United States plays such a central role in Middle East policy, Israeli intelligence agencies naturally have strong incentives to monitor shifts in Washington’s strategic thinking.
Historical Precedents Continue to Shape Concerns
Concerns about Israeli espionage in the United States are not new.
One of the most significant incidents occurred during the 1980s when Jonathan Pollard was convicted of passing classified American intelligence to Israel.
The case created serious tensions between the two countries and remains one of the most notable espionage scandals in modern U.S.-Israeli relations.
At the same time, intelligence experts point out that the United States also conducts intelligence collection involving allied governments.
Documents leaked by Edward Snowden in 2013 revealed that American intelligence agencies had monitored communications involving several allied leaders, including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Those revelations sparked international controversy and demonstrated that intelligence gathering among allies is a widespread practice rather than an exception.
Trust Faces a New Test
Despite the reported concerns, the United States and Israel remain among each other’s closest security partners.
Their intelligence services cooperate extensively on counterterrorism efforts, military planning, cyber threats, and regional security challenges.
Nevertheless, former officials warn that allegations of increased intelligence collection during a period of policy disagreement could place additional strain on the relationship.
Trust is a critical component of intelligence partnerships, and concerns about surveillance or information gathering can complicate coordination even when cooperation remains strong.
As Washington and Jerusalem continue navigating disagreements over Iran and Lebanon, the reported assessment serves as another reminder that even the closest alliances can face moments of tension when national interests begin to diverge.
For now, both governments continue to work together on a range of security challenges, but questions surrounding intelligence activities and differing regional strategies are likely to remain a sensitive issue in the months ahead.
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