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In a significant development in US national security, a government official has been charged with leaking highly classified documents, allegedly revealing Israel’s plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran.
The documents, which were shared on an Iranian-aligned social media platform, detailed Israel’s military preparations and contained sensitive US intelligence assessments.
Asif Rahman, an official for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) stationed abroad, was arrested in Cambodia and brought to Guam to face federal charges on Tuesday.
According to court documents and US media reports, Rahman held a top-secret security clearance and allegedly transmitted classified information about Israel’s planned military action on Iran.
His arrest and subsequent court appearance have raised questions about intelligence leaks and international relations amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The leaked documents, reportedly obtained by the US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, were marked “Top Secret” and shared among the Five Eyes alliance, which includes the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.
The intelligence reports were based on satellite information dated October 15 and 16, assessing Israel’s military preparations against Iran.
One document, titled “Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations for Strike on Iran and Conducts a Second Large-Force Employment Exercise,” provided details on Israel’s missile operations.
A second document, “Israel: Defense Forces Continue Key Munitions Preparations and Covert UAV Activity Almost Certainly for a Strike on Iran,” outlined Israel’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance purposes.
Israel proceeded with its airstrikes on Iranian military sites on October 26, following what was described as a period of intense planning. These actions were seen as retaliation for an Iranian missile attack on Israel earlier that month.
Iran’s missile launch, which reportedly involved around 180 ballistic missiles, was a response to recent Israeli military actions that had targeted leaders within Hamas and Hezbollah, groups aligned with Iran.
Reports following Israel’s retaliatory strikes on Iran confirmed damage to several military installations and a missile production facility, with Iranian authorities stating that one civilian and four soldiers were killed in the attacks.
The sensitive nature of the leaked documents has raised concerns within US intelligence circles. The classified reports, which contained detailed information on Israeli military movements, could have potentially jeopardized national and allied security interests in the Middle East. Sources confirmed to CBS News that these documents related specifically to Israel’s military response plans.
Rahman faces two counts of “willfully transmitting classified information,” according to an indictment seen by the New York Times.
This case is expected to underscore the consequences of security breaches within the intelligence community. Mr. Rahman’s court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, where he will face charges that could lead to severe legal repercussions if convicted.
Both the CIA and the US Department of Justice have been contacted for comment on the case but have not yet released any official statements.