Pentagon Labels Israeli Espionage Threat as “Critical”

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has upgraded Israel’s counter-intelligence threat rating from “high” to “critical,” the highest level in the Pentagon’s system. The reassessment follows reports that Israeli intelligence placed spyware on mobile phones used by U.S. defense personnel in Israel, installed listening devices at the DIA headquarters in 2021, and attempted to bug a U.S. Secret Service vehicle. The assessment cites surveillance of senior officials involved in Iran negotiations, including special envoy Steve Witkoff, Pentagon undersecretary Elbridge Colby, and his deputy Michael P. DiMino IV.

iNewsPentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'U.S. raises Israel espionage threat levelPentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’DW News

U.S.–Israeli espionage dates back decades. Notable cases include the 1985 conviction of Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard for passing classified material to Israel, the 2004 Lawrence Franklin espionage conviction for leaking U.S. policy on Iran to Israel via AIPAC, and Snowden-era documents that revealed the NSA’s own monitoring of allied leaders. Historically, both sides have tolerated limited spying, but the current DIA report suggests a qualitative shift.

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• U.S. entities: Defense Intelligence Agency, Pentagon, White House, U.S. Secret Service.

Pentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’

• Israeli agencies: Mossad, Shin Bet (domestic intelligence).

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• Officials targeted: Steve Witkoff (White House envoy), Elbridge Colby (Pentagon undersecretary), Michael DiMino IV.

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• Political leaders: President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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• Analysts: Nimrod Novak (Israel Policy Forum), Ken Katzman (The Soufan Center), Emily Harding (CSIS).

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• Threat level raised to “critical,” the Pentagon’s top classification.

Pentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'

• Spy-related incidents: spyware on U.S. phones, 2021 listening devices at DIA, 2022 attempted bug of a Secret Service vehicle.

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• The 2018 U.S.–Israel memorandum of understanding provides $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid.

Pentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'

Elevating the threat rating could prompt the Pentagon to limit the scope of intelligence sharing with Israel, affecting joint war-planning against Iran and Lebanon. Analysts warn that the perception of “unhinged” Israeli surveillance may make U.S. military planners more hesitant to proceed with coordinated operations. Politically, the issue surfaces as President Trump seeks to pressure Israel to curb strikes in Lebanon while preserving support from the Israeli lobby ahead of the 2024 midterms.

U.S. raises Israel espionage threat levelPentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'iNewsPentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’DW News

• U.S. government: A White House official dismissed the claims as “false” and lacking substantive knowledge; the Pentagon declined comment.

Pentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’

• Israeli embassy: Spokesperson called the allegations “completely false,” asserting Israel does not spy on U.S. officials.

Pentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’

• President Trump: Denied that Netanyahu defied his orders, stating, “If I tell him to do something, he does it.”

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• Israeli leadership: No direct comment from Prime Minister Netanyahu in the sources.

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A senior U.S. official described the espionage as “unhinged.” Ken Katzman warned the reports could make the U.S. military “a bit more hesitant” to execute plans. Emily Harding labeled Israel’s intelligence service “hyper-aggressive,” noting repeated attempts to gather U.S. policy insights.

Pentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’

Sources differ on the provenance of the DIA assessment: some suggest the leak was coordinated with U.S. officials, while others treat it as an independent finding. No public verification of the specific spyware or listening devices has been provided, and the impact on day-to-day intelligence exchange remains unclear.

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• “Spying on friends is never acceptable,” — Angela Merkel, former German Chancellor

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• “The aggressiveness of Israel’s spying has been “unhinged”, one senior official told the newspaper.” — senior U.S. official, The New York Times

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• “Nimrod Novak said: “From the days that I was in government the policy was very strictly that we do not spy on the United States.” — Nimrod Novak, Israel Policy Forum

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• “If I tell him to do something, he does it,” — Donald Trump, BBC interview

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• “It is completely false that Israel spies on the U.S.” — Israeli embassy spokesperson, Washington

Pentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’

• “could make the US military a bit more hesitant to go through with the plans” — Ken Katzman, The Soufan Center

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U.S. officials are expected to review intelligence-sharing protocols and may seek congressional oversight of the “critical” designation. President Trump is likely to continue pressing Israel to restrain operations in Lebanon, while Israeli officials may contest any restrictions on their intelligence activities. The evolving dispute could shape the broader U.S.–Israel partnership as both nations navigate the Iran conflict.

U.S. raises Israel espionage threat levelPentagon reportedly raised alarms of increasing Israeli espionage on the US, and the threat level is ‘critical’Pentagon Elevates Assessment of Israeli Espionage to 'Critical'iNews