Pentagon raises threat of Israeli spying to ‘critical’

KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The Pentagon has reportedly raised its counterintelligence threat level for Israel to its highest tier amid concerns over alleged spying on senior US officials.

AFP, citing NBC News, reported that the Pentagon’s Defence Intelligence Agency assessed Israel’s “ability to conduct human espionage and technical collection” as being at a “critical level”.

NBC News, citing US officials, said the move followed concerns that Israel had tried to obtain information on the Trump administration’s internal discussions and decision-making on conflicts in the Middle East.

The New York Times also reported alleged Israeli efforts to eavesdrop on senior officials, including President Donald Trump’s top negotiator Steve Witkoff and the Pentagon’s top policy official Elbridge Colby.

AFP said the reports came after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering the war.

The reports also come amid apparent strain between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Reuters reported earlier this week that Trump confirmed he had called Netanyahu “crazy” during a heated phone call over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, which Trump said had complicated US diplomatic efforts.

According to AFP, Axios and ABC News had earlier reported that Trump unleashed a profanity-laced tirade at Netanyahu over Israel’s threats to bomb Beirut, amid fears such a move would undermine talks with Tehran.

Facts to check before publication: Whether the Pentagon, DIA, White House or Israeli embassy has issued an on-record response; the exact wording and classification of the “critical level” assessment; and whether the February 28 joint strikes and “triggering the war” phrasing need additional context or confirmation. — Reuters