Reuters: US intelligence agencies clash over data and jurisdiction

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has reportedly ceased contributing to certain intelligence assessments, including those concerning the conflict with Iran, produced by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). This action stems from ongoing disputes over data sharing and jurisdictional authority, according to a Reuters report citing sources.

The disagreements between the CIA and ODNI have reportedly been ongoing for over a year, leading to disruptions in the collaborative process of creating national security analyses relied upon by U.S. presidents. At the heart of the dispute is a working group established in April 2025 by ODNI Director Avril Haines. The CIA reportedly believes this group improperly bypassed standard intelligence-sharing and declassification procedures, while ODNI officials claim the CIA withheld access to information.

Sources indicate that the CIA was a key participant in producing reports for the National Intelligence Council (NIC), which are crucial for significant assessments, particularly during wartime. However, the CIA is reportedly no longer regularly participating in assessments related to Iran, among others. Officials suggest that the CIA and ODNI are now largely operating as separate analytical entities.

These divergences reportedly began shortly after Haines assumed her role in February 2025. Tensions were further exacerbated by the formation of the working group tasked with reviewing alleged politicization within the intelligence community and other issues, including document declassification and security investigations. Officials also noted that changes in the access and distribution of reports within the intelligence system have occurred multiple times. Representatives from both the CIA and ODNI acknowledged to Reuters that the agencies continue to communicate and cooperate but declined to comment extensively on the specific allegations of reduced intelligence assessment sharing.