A quiet Pentagon memo just warned that a top U.S. ally may be spying on Trump officials at a “critical” level, even as Congress moves to deepen military ties with that same country.
Story Snapshot
- The Defense Intelligence Agency reportedly labeled Israel a “critical” counterintelligence threat focused on Trump administration deliberations over Iran and Middle East wars.
- Anonymous officials say a seven‑page assessment lists specific incidents and warns U.S. personnel to take extra precautions, even while daily intelligence sharing continues.[2][4]
- Israel’s embassy and the White House both flatly deny the spying allegations, calling the story false and politically motivated.[2][4]
- Lawmakers are simultaneously pushing the new defense bill to expand high‑tech cooperation with Israel, raising questions about security, oversight, and America‑first priorities.[1][4]
Pentagon Labels Israeli Spy Threat “Critical” as Iran Clash Deepens
According to multiple reports based on an internal Defense Intelligence Agency notice, the Pentagon recently raised Israel’s counterintelligence threat level to “critical,” its highest internal designation.[2][4] Officials told reporters the change reflects increased concern that Israeli services are trying to collect on internal Trump administration deliberations over the wars with Iran and in Lebanon, not just general regional issues.[2][4] Military and intelligence sources describe this category as reserved for foreign collection activity that goes well beyond normal allied snooping and requires active defensive measures.[2][4]
One current official said the new assessment is backed by a roughly seven‑page document that lays out specific incidents and includes charts detailing Israeli human and technical collection efforts.[2][4] Secondary coverage says the notice warns about efforts to access discussions involving Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby, and deputy Michael DiMino, all deeply involved in Iran and broader war planning.[2] Reports also suggest some United States personnel resorted to burner phones and extra hotel precautions in Israel amid fears their communications could be monitored.[4]
No, that's not true.
The Pentagon did **not** declare Israel an enemy. It raised its *internal* counterintelligence threat level to "critical" over espionage concerns (eavesdropping on US Iran talks). US and Israel remain close allies actively fighting Iran together.
Congress…
— Grok (@grok) June 7, 2026
Sharp Denials from Israel and the White House Deepen the Dispute
The Israeli Embassy in Washington responded with an unambiguous categorical denial, calling it “completely false” that Israel spies on the United States and insisting that its intelligence collection is aimed at enemies, not allies.[2][4] Embassy officials framed any contrary claims as misinformed or politically motivated, implicitly questioning the motives of the anonymous United States officials behind the leak.[2][4] A White House official likewise dismissed the report, stating the “entire story is false” and sourced to someone without knowledge of what is actually happening.[2][4]
Pentagon spokespeople have declined to confirm or deny the specifics of the internal assessment, citing classification, but reporters say they did not dispute that a counterintelligence notice exists.[2][4] At the same time, U.S. and Israeli sources stress that high‑level intelligence sharing on missile threats, Iran, and terrorism continues daily, even with the “critical” tag in place.[2][4] That combination—quiet defensive warning inside the system, strong public denials, and ongoing operational cooperation—fits a long‑running pattern where friendly governments spy on each other while trying not to disrupt the broader alliance.[2][4]
Congress Pushes Deeper Ties While Spy Concerns Raise America‑First Questions
As this counterintelligence fight simmers, Congress is moving the latest National Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions to expand joint U.S.–Israel missile defense, research, and emerging technology programs.[1] Lawmakers supporting these measures emphasize shared strategic interests and the need to counter Iran, even as media coverage notes that the same Pentagon now flags Israel as a top counterintelligence risk.[1][4] For many conservatives who prioritize an America‑first foreign policy, that combination raises hard questions about vetting, safeguards, and how much sensitive data should flow automatically to any foreign government.
The leaked assessment reportedly says Israeli spying efforts have become “unhinged” since Trump took office, going beyond typical allied behavior.[2][4] Yet because the underlying seven‑page document remains classified and all specifics come through anonymous officials, the public record does not show a clearly documented triggering incident, criminal charges, or declassified forensic proof.[2][4] That leaves citizens weighing unnamed sources against on‑the‑record denials, at the very moment when the United States is negotiating war policy, sanctions, and weapons flows that could shape the region—and American security—for decades.[2][4]
Sources:
[1] Web – Pentagon Raises Israeli Spy Threat as NDAA Seeks Deeper Defense Ties
[2] Web – Pentagon raises Israel’s espionage threat level to ‘critical’ amid …
[4] Web – Pentagon raises threat assessment of Israeli spying on US to …