The Israeli Air Force, known to operate the American-made stealth fighter jet F-35, may be preparing to retaliate against Iran following a large-scale missile attack launched by Iran on October 1st. Reports indicate that the US government recently leaked intelligence suggesting that these aircraft could conduct airstrikes on Iran with the assistance of aerial refueling. This has sparked significant concern regarding Israel’s potential response.
During an interview with CNN, House Speaker Mike Johnson commented, “An investigation is underway, and I expect to receive a classified briefing within hours… We are closely monitoring the situation.”
CNN and the Associated Press reported that documents dated between the 15th and 16th of October were disseminated by a user named “Middle East Spectator” on Telegram, starting on the 18th. Initially believed to be leaked by a member of the US intelligence community, it was later claimed that the information originated from the Department of Defense. The documents appear to have been compiled through satellite imagery analysis and are marked “highly classified,” indicating that only the US and its “Five Eyes” allies—Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK—are authorized to share them.
The documents suggest that Israel is gearing up for a possible attack on Iran. One of the files, reportedly compiled by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), outlines plans for the transportation of ammunition, while another from the National Security Agency (NSA) details air-to-ground missile exercises by the Israeli Air Force aimed at Iran. Additionally, one document implies that Israel possesses nuclear weapons, a claim the country has long refused to confirm; however, it notes that the US has not observed plans indicating Israel’s intent to use such weapons against Iran.
The circumstances surrounding the leak remain unclear, with investigations ongoing to determine whether it resulted from hacking or an internal breach. A US official indicated that there is a search for individuals who may have accessed the documents. The Telegram channel spreading the documents claims to be based in Tehran and has previously shared memes of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as other content supporting the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” comprised of Middle Eastern militant groups funded by Iran.
This leak occurs at a particularly sensitive time in US-Israeli relations and is likely to provoke anger within Israel, further escalating tensions. Mick Mulroy, a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East and retired CIA officer, remarked that “this is a serious leak that could challenge future coordination between the US and Israel.”
This incident recalls a previous leak in which Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira disclosed military secrets on the messaging platform Discord, which strained relations between the US and allies like South Korea and Ukraine; notably, one document in the recent leak resembles the style of Teixeira’s disclosures.
