Recent U.S. intelligence reports have raised the assessed counterintelligence threat level posed by Israel from “high” to “critical.” According to reports from NBC News and The New York Times, this shift in the Defense Intelligence Agency’s (DIA) assessment follows concerns that Israeli intelligence agencies have intensified efforts to eavesdrop on senior U.S. officials, including those involved in peace negotiations with Iran.
Why the Pentagon Raised the Threat Level
The Defense Intelligence Agency, with contributions from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, elevated the threat assessment in recent weeks. This decision stems from documented efforts by Israeli intelligence to monitor U.S. military personnel and government officials.
Specific concerns involve the targeting of key figures, such as Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s top negotiator, as well as Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and his deputy, Michael P. DiMino IV. The DIA report notes that American defense personnel stationed in Israel detected software surreptitiously installed on their devices, intended to monitor their communications.
Tensions Amidst Military Cooperation
The rise in espionage concerns occurs during a period of unprecedented military coordination between the two nations. U.S. and Israeli officers currently work side-by-side at U.S. Central Command (Centcom) to manage the ongoing war against Iran. While the U.S. shares significant tactical information with its Israeli counterparts, officials report that Israel is seeking deeper insights into the Trump administration’s internal deliberations regarding peace talks.
This intelligence friction highlights a divergence in strategic goals. While President Trump has publicly expressed a desire to bring the war to a close, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to advocate for the degradation of Iran’s capabilities and the weakening of its government.
Historical Context of Espionage Incidents
U.S. officials note that the current counterintelligence warning is not an isolated event. The DIA report outlines a pattern of activity dating back several years:
- 2021: Israeli military intelligence officers were identified planting listening devices at DIA headquarters.
- 2025: Members of Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, were discovered attempting to plant a listening device inside a Secret Service vehicle.
Beyond these incidents, the reliance of some U.S. officials on private aircraft and personal mobile phones for national security business has reportedly created vulnerabilities that intelligence services have sought to exploit.
Official Responses and Security Protocols
The U.S. Department of Defense has declined to comment on the reports. A White House official stated that the account of the intelligence concerns is false, while a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington denied that Israel conducts espionage against U.S. officials or entities.
Despite these denials, U.S. personnel operating in Israel maintain strict security protocols. While officials declined to provide specific details on these measures, they confirmed that they are designed to protect electronic devices and sensitive data. At facilities like the U.S.-led Civil-Military Co-ordination Centre in Kiryat Gat, Israel, the two nations utilize segregated office floors to separate sensitive discussions from routine humanitarian and ceasefire coordination.
The Pentagon may now face pressure to implement further restrictions on the information shared with Israeli officers, a move that could complicate the ongoing integration of military war planning between the two countries.