Iran International, Oct. 20, 2024
“After a series of incidents that have raised serious questions, many people have been concerned about possible Iranian influence and infiltration in the US government, not to mention those with animus towards a key US partner Israel.”
As Washington investigates a top-secret document leak regarding Israel’s retaliation plans to Iran’s recent aerial attack, questions have emerged over whether it was the result of a security breach or an Iran-backed cyberattack.
Two US intelligence documents, meant to be shared exclusively among the ‘Five Eyes’ nations, were leaked on the pro-Iran Telegram account Middle East Spectator, just as Israel prepares to retaliate for the October 1 barrage of 181 ballistic missiles. The platform’s account on X lists its location as the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In a press statement, Middle East Spectator said the channel had no connection to the original source “which we assume to be a whistleblower within the US State Department.”
The “top secret” documents, dated October 15 and 16, began circulating online Friday, meant only to be seen by Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Several options are now being discussed, including internal strategic leaks and possible state-backed hacking.
Holden Tripplet, a former FBI counterintelligence official, told Iran International: “The leak, if done without official sanction by the US government, may have been intended to dissuade an Israeli strike or at least limit the overall retaliatory response.” … [To read the full article, click here]