Which US Officials Are Being Targeted by Israeli Surveillance? Pentagon Flag Major Espionage Threat

Published 7 June 2026 · us

Which US Officials Are Being Targeted by Israeli Surveillance? Pentagon Flag Major Espionage Threat Published By, Last Updated: June 07, 2026, 10:54 IST The Pentagon

Which US Officials Are Being Targeted by Israeli Surveillance? Pentagon Flag Major Espionage Threat Published By, Last Updated: June 07, 2026, 10:54 IST The Pentagon raised its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to the "critical" level, signalling growing US concerns over alleged Israeli surveillance. Rapid Read US President Donald Trump next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Source: Reuters/File) Several US intelligence reports have increasingly raised concerns about Israel spying on senior American officials, raising fears over a counterintelligence threat and showing signs of strain between the two longstanding allies amid disagreements over the war against Iran. The Pentagon had earlier raised its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to the highest “critical" level, signalling growing US concerns over alleged Israeli surveillance of senior American officials. Israel has so far denied the claims. Both countries have long known and tolerated espionage attempts by each other. However, some American officials told The New York Times that an Israeli effort has crossed a line during recent talks with Iran aimed at halting the war. Who Are The Targets Of Israeli Surveillance?

As per the report, Israel has stepped up its efforts to eavesdrop on senior American officials, including President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, the Pentagon’s top policy official Elbridge A Colby, and one of his deputies, Michael P DiMino IV. Of these officials, Colby has advocated for a restrained foreign policy. According to a report by the Defence Intelligence Agency and other military intelligence offices, the counterintelligence threat by Israel has increased in recent weeks to the top level, from high to critical, including various efforts to spy on American military personnel and government officials. A US official told NBC News that the DIA’s assessment identified several specific incidents that contributed to growing concerns over Israeli surveillance inside the US defence establishment. Senior US officials told the NYT that Israel is looking for insights into Trump’s strategy and shifting stances on the peace talks. ALSO READ: ‘Spying Among Friends’: Pentagon’s Israel Alert Reignites Snowden-Era Controversy One official described the aggressiveness of Israeli intelligence collection on top US officials as “unhinged". Two senior military officials said the Pentagon was aware that American personnel, particularly those serving in Israel or with Israeli counterparts, were well aware of the counterintelligence risks.