The full story behind the United States’ recent intelligence leak that exposed Israel’s secret plans to attack Iran.
After Iran’s attack against Israel on October 1st, 2024, Israel vowed a strong military response. Over the last few weeks, people across the world have anxiously been waiting to see what Israel would do, with some believing this has the potential for a new escalation in the war. Just as Israel made their plans for striking Iran however, a concerning breach of trust took place. What is most concerning however, is WHO breached Israel’s trust: the United States leaked highly sensitive and confidential documents, revealing Israel’s plans.
The documents, which first appeared on the Middle East Spectator’s Telegram account, quickly circulated in Iranian circles. This provoked a concerning question:
“Are these intelligence documents legitimate?”
Based on the structure of the documents and acronyms used, these documents are not only legitimate, but are also meant only for Israel’s “Five Eyes” allies. These include: the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
How did this breach of trust happen? Theories are still circulating, but there are essentially only two possibilities––either a top US official leaked this information or Iran hacked the US at its highest level.
Neither of these options are flattering for the US. The first, unfortunately, is the most likely. On October 22nd, the FBI began their investigation of the leak, but, according to this statement, has little to say about the situation:
“The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further comment.”
The leak proves itself to be a major infiltration in trust between the US and Israel. If Israel can no longer securely share sensitive information with America, this places a dire strain on their shared allegiance.
This leak also shows US citizens just how deeply the United States’ highest offices have been infiltrated by hostile entities. America’s often coveted stance of freedom has seemingly become its achilles heel. With little regulation as to who can gain access to top government positions, there is little ability to prevent leaks from occurring from within.
Conversely, if this leak is the result of an Iranian infiltration, it indicates a serious breach in US security. If Iran has gained the ability to access top secret documents such as these, what other information does the world’s largest sponsor of terror have access to?
This could result in Iranian access to, not only Israeli intelligence, but United States intelligence as well as other nations who are allies of the US.
According to the BBC, the main focus of these documents are what types of weapons were to be used in a potential Israeli strike on Iran. These included Golden Horizon and Rocks, both of which are long-range missiles. One of these has the capability of hitting both above and below ground targets, indicating a potential expanded strike similar to the one on Isfahan in April.
Additionally, CNN reported that the documents included information on Israeli air force exercises and the movement of munitions.
Israel has indicated to the US that Iranian nuclear and oil sites are not the target of this retaliation, but, inevitably “we will make our final decisions based on our national interests.”
A source claimed this about Israel’s planned retaliation:
“The leak of the American documents delayed the attack due to the need to change certain strategies and components. There will be a retaliation, but it has taken longer than it was supposed to take.”
On October 23rd, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant motivated Israeli air force crews with this statement:
“After we strike in Iran, everyone will understand what you did in the preparation and training process…. Everyone who dreamed a year ago of beating us and attacking us paid a heavy price and are no longer in that dream.”
He also stated that the strike will be:
“lethal, precise, and above all, surprising [and that Iran] will not understand what happened and how it happened. They will see the results.”
Ultimately, no one can know what a retaliation may or may not look like or what the consequences will be. Israel may target Iranian oil or nuclear targets, thus crippling the Iranian regime’s grip on the region. Alternatively, Israel may employ a small-scale attack and seek diplomatic solutions.
If Israel were to launch a major retaliation on Iran, it could result in a large-scale and costly response. Alternatively, if Israel were to seek diplomatic resolutions they would, ultimately, find themselves in this situation again in the future. Iran has sworn itself against Israel and has expressed no signs of reconciliation. With this stance, it is certain Iran will strike Israel again when given the opportunity.
Despite the uncertainty of what may happen in the coming days, weeks, and months, one thing is certain: On October 1st, Iran launched the largest ballistic missile attack in world history on Israel.
Meaning that any retaliation Israel imposes on Iran is entirely justified.
Israel’s merit has been continually shown that they will not intentionally cause civilian deaths and it is certain that this moral trend will continue. Iran, on the other hand, launched a blanket attack on Israel with the intention of mass indiscriminate killing.
The concerns of the world that Israel’s retaliation could cause a larger regional war have forgotten that Israel has not caused any of the wars that are currently taking place. Gaza attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, Iran attacked Israel on April 14th and on October 1st, and countries like Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, and others have all attacked Israel first. This regional war was in no way started by Israel.
If there is an escalation in warfare, the only party which should incur guilt is Iran, who has attempted to murder countless Israelis through their proxies and through their large-scale attacks against Israel.
