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US intelligence reports raise concerns over Israeli spying on Iran peace talks negotiators
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Conflict & Security

US intelligence reports raise concerns over Israeli spying on Iran peace talks negotiators

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • US intelligence reports suggest Israel has intensified spying on American negotiators involved in Iran peace talks.
  • The heightened Israeli effort, including eavesdropping on senior US officials, has reportedly crossed a line for some American officials.
  • This comes amid close US-Israel military coordination against Iran, raising concerns about potential restrictions on intelligence sharing.

US intelligence agencies have raised concerns that Israeli spy agencies are eavesdropping on American negotiators working on a peace deal with Iran. This intensified effort by Israel has reportedly crossed a line for some US officials, despite a long-standing tolerance for mutual spying between the two allies.

But an intensified Israeli effort to learn about US positions in talks with Iran has crossed a line, according to some American officials.

— American officialsDescribing the US perception of Israel's increased spying activities.

Reports indicate that Israel has stepped up its efforts to listen in on senior American officials, including President Trump's top negotiator and a Pentagon policy official. One Defense Intelligence Agency report allegedly increased the counterintelligence threat level posed by Israel from "high" to "critical."

The reports include concerns that Israel has stepped up its efforts to eavesdrop on senior American officials, including Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s top negotiator, Elbridge A Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and one of his main deputies, Michael P DiMino IV.

— US intelligence reportsDetailing the specific targets of alleged Israeli eavesdropping.

The heightened concern about Israeli spying emerges at a sensitive time, as the US and Israel collaborate closely in the war against Iran. However, senior US officials suggest Israel is seeking insights into President Trump's strategy and shifting stances on the peace talks. This could complicate military war planning and potentially lead to new restrictions on information shared with Israeli officers.

Another report, written by the Defense Intelligence Agency and other military intelligence offices and focused on earlier events going back several years, said that the counterintelligence threat level posed by Israel had been increased in recent weeks to the top level, from high to critical.

— Defense Intelligence Agency reportQuantifying the perceived counterintelligence threat from Israel.

Tensions have already surfaced as Trump pursues a peace deal while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to degrade Iran's capabilities and support Hezbollah. The DIA report was drafted after American defense personnel in Israel detected surreptitious software installations on their phones. A White House official denied the account, and the Israeli embassy disputed claims of a counterintelligence threat.

The US military is sharing huge amounts of tactical and operational information with its Israeli counterparts.

— Senior American officialsHighlighting the close military coordination between the US and Israel.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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