Pentagon raises Israel espionage threat in US to critical

Recent US intelligence reports have elevated the counterintelligence threat from Israel to “critical,” citing stepped-up efforts to gather information on American officials involved in Iran diplomacy and military planning. The reports said Israeli services sought insights into the positions of Steve Witkoff, the Trump administration’s top negotiator; Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official; and deputy Michael DiMino IV. The assessment comes despite unusually close US-Israeli military coordination in the war against Iran, with Israeli officers working alongside US counterparts at Central Command. The new warning could lead the Pentagon to restrict what information it shares with Israel as President Donald Trump pursues a peace deal that has at times clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s aims.