Lauge Risom Koch 
The Pentagon has reportedly raised its assessment of the counterintelligence threat posed by Israel to the highest level following concerns about alleged efforts to gather information on senior US officials and internal Trump administration discussions related to the Middle East.
The Pentagon has reportedly elevated its assessment of the counterintelligence threat posed by Israel to the highest level amid concerns about alleged intelligence-gathering efforts targeting senior US officials.
The reports come at a time of heightened tensions surrounding US policy in the Middle East and ongoing diplomatic efforts related to regional conflicts.
Intelligence concerns
According to Digi24, citing News.ro and reports from NBC News, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has classified Israel’s espionage capabilities as being at a “critical level.”
NBC News, citing US officials, reported that Washington is concerned Israel may have sought information about “the Trump administration’s internal deliberations and decision-making process regarding conflicts in the Middle East.”
The reported assessment covers both human intelligence activities and technical surveillance capabilities.
Wiretapping claims
According to The New York Times, cited by Digi24, US officials were also concerned about alleged attempts to monitor conversations involving senior American figures.
The newspaper reported claims that Israeli intelligence may have sought to intercept communications involving Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s chief negotiator, and Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top political official.
The reports have fueled concerns within parts of the US national security establishment.
Strained relations
The developments come amid reports of growing friction between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to Axios, the two leaders were involved in a tense phone conversation regarding Israel’s military posture in Lebanon and broader regional security issues.
The dispute reportedly centered on concerns that Israeli actions could complicate ongoing US diplomatic efforts.
Trump later acknowledged that he had held a difficult conversation with Netanyahu.
Regional backdrop
According to Digi24, the tensions follow the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran that began on February 28.
Since then, Washington has continued diplomatic efforts aimed at managing conflicts across the Middle East, including negotiations involving Iran and developments in Lebanon.
The reports of heightened counterintelligence concerns add another layer of complexity to relations between two long-standing allies.
Sources: Digi24, News.ro, NBC News, The New York Times, Axios
