The Pentagon has reportedly elevated Israel’s counterintelligence threat assessment to its highest level, according to US media reports, citing growing concerns over espionage activities targeting American officials.
The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) described Israel’s capability for human intelligence operations and technical surveillance as being at a “critical level,” NBC News reported, citing US officials.
The warning follows allegations that Israeli intelligence agencies attempted to gather sensitive information related to internal discussions within the Trump administration, particularly on US policy decisions regarding conflicts in the Middle East.
The New York Times reported claims of Israeli efforts to monitor senior US officials, including President Donald Trump’s chief negotiator Steve Witkoff and Pentagon policy official Elbridge Colby.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, which escalated regional instability.
Reports from Axios and ABC News also suggest strained relations between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, including a reported heated phone call over Israel’s threats involving Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
The latest intelligence assessment highlights growing friction in the traditionally close US-Israel security relationship.
