The Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency has quietly escalated its counterintelligence threat assessment for Israel to the highest possible level, marking an unprecedented development in U.S.-Israeli intelligence relations. This classification upgrade to “critical” status reflects growing concerns within the Pentagon about Israeli surveillance activities targeting American officials and internal administration deliberations.

The Critical Threat Assessment

According to multiple U.S. officials, the Defense Intelligence Agency recently circulated an internal seven-page assessment that rates Israel’s human and technical intelligence-gathering capabilities as operating at a “critical level.” The document includes detailed charts and identifies specific incidents that heightened U.S. counterintelligence concerns, though officials declined to elaborate on the precise nature of these incidents.

The assessment represents a significant departure from normal intelligence cooperation protocols between the two allies. While espionage between allied nations is commonplace, current and former U.S. officials indicated that Israel’s recent surveillance efforts have exceeded typical boundaries and expectations for intelligence gathering among friendly nations.

High-Profile Targets Identified

The intelligence assessment specifically identifies several high-ranking U.S. officials as targets of Israeli surveillance operations. Among those reportedly targeted are President Trump’s top negotiator in talks with Iran, Steve Witkoff, the Pentagon’s top policy official Elbridge Colby, and one of his main deputies, Michael DiMino.

One senior official characterized the aggressiveness of Israeli intelligence services in surveilling top U.S. officials since the start of Trump’s second term as “unhinged.” The surveillance activities appear focused on gaining insights into the Trump administration’s internal deliberations regarding Iran and Lebanon, particularly as tensions mount over diplomatic approaches versus military options.

Technical Infiltration Methods

Reports indicate that U.S. personnel operating in Israel discovered surveillance software had been installed on their communication devices. This technical penetration represents a sophisticated intelligence operation targeting American officials’ private communications and internal discussions.

The discovery of compromised devices has prompted the implementation of enhanced security protocols for U.S. officials traveling to Israel or meeting with Israeli counterparts. These measures include the use of disposable phones and secure computing equipment to prevent further intelligence breaches.

Official Denials and Diplomatic Tensions

Both Israeli and American officials have publicly denied the allegations contained in the intelligence assessment. An Israeli Embassy spokesperson in Washington dismissed the reports as “completely false” and “politically motivated,” stating that “Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, let alone US government officials.”

A White House official similarly characterized the entire story as “false and sourced to someone who doesn’t have any knowledge of what’s going on.” The Pentagon declined to provide comment on the assessment, while the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to requests for information.

Trump-Netanyahu Tensions Escalate

The intelligence concerns emerge amid increasingly strained relations between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Middle East policy directions. The two leaders recently engaged in what officials described as one of their most heated phone conversations, during which Trump called Netanyahu “f***ing crazy” over Israel’s continued military operations in Lebanon.

Trump later acknowledged the exchange publicly, stating he was “a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon” and emphasizing the need to “stop this.” The leaked details of this conversation have reportedly damaged Netanyahu politically ahead of Israel’s upcoming national elections.

Strategic Divergence Over Iran and Lebanon

The intelligence escalation occurs against the backdrop of significant strategic disagreements between the U.S. and Israel regarding Iran and regional conflicts. While Trump has pursued diplomatic engagement with Iran following a fragile ceasefire reached in early April, Israeli leadership has publicly expressed skepticism about Iran’s commitment to any negotiated agreement.

Netanyahu has advocated for resumed bombing campaigns against Iran and has disagreed with Trump’s pressure to scale back attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon. This strategic divergence has created friction in the alliance, with Israel apparently seeking to gather intelligence on internal American deliberations to better position itself in ongoing negotiations.

Historical Context of Allied Espionage

While intelligence gathering between allied nations is routine, the elevation to “critical” threat status indicates that Israeli activities have crossed traditional boundaries. Intelligence experts note that Israel has historically maintained an aggressive intelligence posture, with one official observing that “Israel has a hyper-aggressive intelligence service. They are exceedingly interested in what we are up to.”

The current situation represents an unusual public acknowledgment of typically classified counterintelligence concerns, suggesting the scope and intensity of Israeli surveillance operations have reached levels that Pentagon officials consider potentially damaging to U.S. national security interests.

Implications for Future Cooperation

Despite the raised threat level, intelligence cooperation between the United States and Israel continues, though under modified protocols. American personnel are now required to implement stricter security precautions when engaging with Israeli counterparts, reflecting the Pentagon’s assessment that standard protective measures are insufficient given the current threat environment.

The escalation comes at a particularly sensitive moment in U.S.-Israeli relations, with both nations navigating complex regional dynamics involving Iran, Lebanon, and broader Middle East security concerns. The intelligence assessment suggests that traditional alliance frameworks may require recalibration to address evolving surveillance capabilities and strategic divergences.

This article draws on reporting from NBC News, RT, and The Jerusalem Post.