 |
| Photo by © iari |
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has upgraded its threat assessment of Israeli espionage from "high" to "critical" in recent weeks, amid growing concerns over aggressive spying tactics by the close ally, U.S. media reported.
The shift comes amid fracturing relations between Washington and Tel Aviv over the ongoing war against Iran and stalled ceasefire negotiations.
The upgrade in the threat level was first reported by NBC News on Friday, followed by a corroborating report from The New York Times on Saturday, both citing unnamed government officials.
Targeting Top U.S. Officials
According to internal intelligence documents, the DIA raised the alarm over concerns that Israel is intensifying its surveillance of high-ranking U.S. officials. The espionage efforts are reportedly aimed at intercepting internal White House discussions regarding plans to end the war with Iran, Al Jazeera reported Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold sharply contrasting views on the conflict.
The war, which began on February 28, has become a significant domestic political liability for Trump. Facing mounting domestic pressure, Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to halt the military campaign. Conversely, Netanyahu has pushed for the resumption of full-scale military operations, despite a temporary ceasefire agreed upon by both sides on April 8. While active fighting has largely paused since the April truce, efforts to reach a permanent peace deal remain deadlocked.
A Growing Trend Since the Biden Administration
Israeli espionage activities in the U.S. are not unprecedented, but reports indicate a sharp escalation. According to The New York Times, the DIA detected a significant surge in Israeli intelligence operations in late 2024, as the administration of then-President Joe Biden increased pressure on Israel over its military campaign in Gaza.
The upward trend persisted into 2025 after Trump assumed office and began shifting U.S. strategy regarding Iran.
Among the high-profile targets of the recent Israeli surveillance are:
- Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy and key negotiator in nuclear talks prior to the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February.
- Elbridge Colby, a top Pentagon policy official.
- Michael DiMino IV, Colby's deputy.
Pentagon Denials and Historic Precedents
The Department of Defense has declined to issue an official statement. However, a Pentagon spokesperson speaking on the condition of anonymity dismissed the allegations, telling NBC News and The New York Times that the reports were "false."
Despite the denial, experts warn the rift could strain the deeply entrenched military and intelligence partnership between the two nations.
Washington has long provided billions of dollars in military aid and weapons sales to Israel. Currently, the U.S. Congress is debating a clause in a new defense bill that would integrate U.S. and Israeli weapons research and development to an unprecedented degree.
While intelligence gathering among allies is a common practice, U.S. officials emphasized that the persistence and aggressiveness of recent Israeli operations are highly unusual.
The New York Times highlighted a pattern of aggressive Israeli intelligence operations in recent years. In 2021, Israeli military intelligence was caught attempting to plant listening devices inside the DIA headquarters. More recently, in 2025, Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, was discovered attempting to bug a U.S. Secret Service vehicle.
