It is not yet clear whether it is a deliberate leak of documents or a data breach, reports CNN.
The US is investigating the leak of classified intelligence that reveals Israel’s plans for a retaliatory attack on Iran, reports the news channel CNN referring to their sources.
One of the sources has confirmed the authenticity of the leaked documents to CNN.
The documents, dated October 15 and 16, began circulating on the Internet on Friday, October 18. The documents were published on the messaging service Telegram on the Middle East Spectator account.
The documents are marked as top secret and, according to the markings visible on them, they are only intended to be seen by the United States and its allies Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain.
The documents appear to describe Israel’s preparations for an attack on Iran. According to CNN, for example, the documents mention that the Israeli Air Force is preparing to use missiles in its attack on targets located on the ground.
It is not yet known whether it is a leak or a data breach
A US official source tells CNN that an investigation is underway into who had access to the alleged US Defense Department document. Confirmation of a possible leak would automatically trigger an FBI investigation by the federal police, as well as their own investigations by the Pentagon and US intelligence services.
The leak has occurred at a very sensitive moment in terms of relations between the United States and Israel, writes CNN. The leak angers Israel, which is preparing for a retaliatory strike against Iran. At the beginning of October, Iran carried out a large-scale missile strike against Israel.
According to CNN, it is not yet clear whether it is a deliberate leak of documents or whether it is a data breach.
News website Axios first noticed the leaked documents on Saturday.