Pentagon Reportedly Raises Concerns Over Israeli Intelligence Activities in US

Washington, June 2026: The US Department of Defense has reportedly intensified its scrutiny of Israeli intelligence operations within the United States, amid growing concerns about potential counterintelligence risks posed by one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East.

According to a report by NBC News, citing two current and one former US official, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently upgraded its internal counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to a “critical” level. The move is said to reflect mounting apprehension within sections of the US national security establishment regarding Israel’s efforts to gather information on internal policy discussions within the Trump administration, particularly those related to Iran and broader regional issues.

Sources familiar with the matter said the DIA circulated an internal notice accompanied by a detailed seven-page assessment outlining concerns over Israel’s capabilities to conduct both human intelligence operations and technical surveillance activities. The report reportedly referenced several incidents that contributed to the agency’s decision to elevate the threat level.

Neither the Pentagon nor the DIA has publicly commented on the reported assessment.

Israeli officials have strongly denied the allegations. A spokesperson for Israel’s embassy in Washington dismissed the claims as entirely unfounded, insisting that Israel does not conduct intelligence-gathering operations against American institutions or government officials.

“Israel’s intelligence activities are directed at its adversaries, not its allies,” the spokesperson said, adding that suggestions to the contrary were either inaccurate or politically motivated.

The White House also pushed back against the report. A senior administration official rejected the claims, describing the story as false and based on sources lacking direct knowledge of the matter.

The reported reassessment comes at a time of growing policy differences between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, particularly regarding Iran and regional security issues.

Since the ceasefire in the region, Trump has increasingly advocated a diplomatic approach towards Tehran, seeking a broader agreement with the Iranian government. Netanyahu, however, has remained sceptical of diplomatic engagement with Iran and has continued to support a tougher security posture, including the possibility of renewed military operations.

Differences have also reportedly emerged over developments in Lebanon. Trump has urged restraint in Israeli military actions against Hezbollah, while Israeli leaders have maintained that security concerns require continued pressure on the militant group.

Despite these reported tensions, US officials emphasised that intelligence cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem remains extensive and has not been significantly disrupted. The two countries continue to share intelligence on issues related to Iran, regional stability and broader security threats.

However, officials noted that the reported DIA assessment could lead to additional security precautions for American personnel travelling to Israel or engaging with Israeli counterparts. Enhanced awareness measures and stricter handling of sensitive information may be considered as part of routine counterintelligence procedures.

Former US officials have cautioned that allegations of increased intelligence activity between allies could strain trust at a delicate moment when the two governments are not fully aligned on several major regional issues. While intelligence cooperation remains a cornerstone of the US-Israel relationship, any perception of espionage could further complicate diplomatic and security ties between the longstanding partners.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)