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US investigates leak of classified information about Israel’s plans to attack Iran

Rhino: The United States is investigating the leak of two top-secret intelligence documents describing Israel’s preparations to respond to an Iranian missile attack on Israel earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Sunday.

The documents appear to have been prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and included US interpretations of Israeli air and naval planning based on satellite imagery taken on October 15 and 16.

The two leaked documents began circulating on Telegram last week. Israel is planning to respond to the barrage of ballistic missiles fired by Iran on Oct. 1, its second direct attack on Israel in six months. Israel escalated its attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, days after the killing of Yahya al-Sinwar, the head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

Asked about the leak of the two documents, Johnson told CNN, “The investigation is ongoing, and I will be briefed within hours … we’re following this very closely.”

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have not yet responded to requests for comment. The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) said it was looking into reports of the leak.

The New York Times reported that officials have privately acknowledged the authenticity of the two documents but that they likely represent only a fraction of the information Washington has about its ally Israel’s plans.

The first document is titled “Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations to Strike Iran and Conducts Second Large Forces Exercise), describing activities including dealing with ballistic missiles and air-to-surface missiles.

The second document is titled “Israel: Defense Forces continue major preparations for munitions and clandestine drone activity that will almost certainly be used to strike Iran).

U.S. President Joe Biden last week responded to questions from reporters by saying he understands very well when and how Israel will attack Iran. But he added that he sees an opportunity to end the exchange of strikes between the two countries.

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