©picture alliance / Photoshot | -
According to several current and former US officials, concerns are growing within the Pentagon over alleged Israeli spying activities toward the United States. The US Department of Defense sees a growing espionage threat from Israel and the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The Pentagon's military intelligence agency, has therefore raised the threat level to the highest level. Multiple US media outlets are reporting on the harsh measure undertaken by the Pentagon.
The reason for the upscaling is reportedly that Israel has allegedly tried to eavesdrop on U.S. negotiations with Iran. The country is allegedly trying to obtain information about US positions in the war with Iran. According to the sources involved, the Pentagon fears that Israel is trying to gather information more intensively about internal discussions and strategic decisions within the Trump administration around the Middle East.
Border crossed
Until now, according to The New York Times, Israel and the United States have known about and tolerated spying on each other. But U.S. officials report that a line was crossed when Israel recently tried to wiretap Steve Witkoff . Witkoff is President Trump's chief negotiator in the conflict with Iran.
The two countries are key allies in the war with Iran, adding complexity to the tensions surrounding spying activities.
Israel and White House argue over reporting
According to NBC News, a spokesman for the Israeli embassy reported in a press release, that it's "entirely untrue" that Israel is spying on the US. "Israeli intelligence targets only enemies, not allies," the embassy said.
The story is also being contradicted from the White House. A spokesman calls the reporting inaccurate and states that the sources used have no insight into the real situation.
The Pentagon itself did not comment on reports of the threat level being scaled up until now. The issue remains under high-level diplomatic attention, with both countries trying to protect their relationship despite tensions surrounding intelligence activities.
©picture alliance / Photoshot | - illustratiebeeld van de ontmoeting tussen Trump en Netanyahu op 29 december 2025 in de VS.