WASHINGTON — The Pentagon has raised its counterintelligence threat assessment of Israel to the highest level amid concerns that Israeli intelligence agencies have intensified efforts to eavesdrop on U.S. officials involved in negotiations with Iran, U.S. officials said.
The Defense Intelligence Agency and other military intelligence offices upgraded the threat level posed by Israel from “high” to “critical” in recent weeks, according to reports citing current and former U.S. officials. The move reflects worries over Israeli surveillance of senior American figures engaged in talks aimed at ending the conflict with Iran.
Officials named in the intelligence reports include Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy leading negotiations with Iran, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge A. Colby, and one of his deputies, Michael P. DiMino IV, the New York Times and NBC News reported.
The assessments come as tensions have grown between the United States and Israel over the direction of regional conflicts, including efforts to reach a peace deal with Iran. U.S. and Israeli officials have long acknowledged mutual intelligence activities, but some American officials believe Israel’s recent actions have crossed a line.
An Israeli embassy spokesperson in Washington told NBC News that claims Israel spies on the United States are “completely false.”
The Pentagon has not publicly detailed the specific intelligence underlying the threat reassessment. A Defense Department spokesperson declined to comment on the reports when contacted.
The developments highlight strains in the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance at a time when Washington is pursuing diplomatic efforts with Iran following military actions earlier this year. Israel has expressed reservations about aspects of the U.S. approach to Tehran.
“Some American officials say that an intensified Israeli effort to learn about U.S. positions in talks with Iran has crossed a line,” the New York Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. counterintelligence officials have increased monitoring and protective measures in response to the elevated threat level, sources said. The full scope of alleged activities and any specific responses remain unclear.
As of Sunday, neither the White House nor Israeli officials have issued further public statements on the matter. Diplomatic engagements between the U.S. and Iran continue, with details on the status of negotiations subject to ongoing developments.
