US sources dismiss Pentagon leak alleging Israeli spying as anti-Iran war pushback

U.S. sources have dismissed a recent Pentagon leak to NBC News, which alleged Israeli espionage activities against the United States, as a politically motivated effort by "America First" elements within the Pentagon. These sources suggest the leak is intended to push back against American intervention in Iran and express anger at Israel's role in advocating for such action with former President Donald Trump.

The report, which the Pentagon has not officially confirmed or denied, claimed that the Pentagon had elevated its assessment of Israeli espionage against the U.S. to the highest level. However, U.S. sources familiar with the matter indicated that the leak originated from a minority group within the Pentagon who oppose the war in Iran and are critical of Israel. They believe this group is attempting to leverage recent public disagreements between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Both Israel and the White House have categorically denied the espionage allegations. Israeli and Mossad officials have a history of denying such activities, particularly since the Jonathan Pollard incident in the mid-1980s. In recent decades, intelligence sharing between the two allied nations has been extensive, leading to a general understanding that direct spying would be unnecessary given the voluntary exchange of information, especially concerning Iran.