The U.S. Department of Defense has reportedly elevated the threat level of Israeli espionage to “critical,” as diplomatic tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Middle East policy.
Escalating Tensions Between Washington and Tel Aviv
NBC News reports that the U.S. Department of Defense has classified the threat of Israeli spying as “critical.” Despite their status as close allies, the relationship between Washington and Tel Aviv has become increasingly strained due to diverging strategies regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
While President Trump is pushing for a swift end to hostilities, Prime Minister Netanyahu seeks to resume airstrikes on Lebanon and maintains deep skepticism toward Iran’s intentions. Internal reports from the Military Intelligence Agency, which included data on various incidents, suggest Pentagon concerns that Israel may be attempting to gain access to sensitive White House deliberations.
Official Responses and Denials
The Pentagon and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have declined to comment on the allegations, though a White House official characterized the reports as relying on “unreliable sources.”
Yechiel Leiter, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington, denied the claims as “utterly false.” He stated that Israeli intelligence efforts are strictly focused on national enemies rather than allies, dismissing allegations of spying as disinformation or politically motivated actions.
Divergent Agendas on the Middle East
Although the two nations initially coordinated their stance against Iran, recent disagreements over Lebanon and negotiations with Tehran have created a divide. With elections approaching in both countries, political pressures are mounting; Trump faces demands to end the war, while Netanyahu’s base insists on a more aggressive posture against Hezbollah.
The tension culminated on June 2, when Trump reportedly confronted Netanyahu following an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. Trump expressed concern over civilian casualties and the strategic necessity of such actions, famously telling the Prime Minister that he was the only reason Netanyahu was not in prison, while criticizing the international backlash against Israel.
