Israel Intensifying Espionage Against US, Pentagon Assigns Critical Threat Status
The Pentagon’s intelligence agency, the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), has reportedly raised the threat level of Israeli espionage activities against the United States from ‘high’ to ‘critical’ in recent weeks. This information was first revealed by NBC News on Friday (5/6/2026) and subsequently reinforced by reports from The New York Times.
Citing several anonymous sources, both media outlets stated that the change in status was triggered by concerns over increasingly aggressive Israeli intelligence efforts amidst the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The DIA is said to assess that Israel is becoming more active in monitoring high-ranking US officials to gain insight into internal White House discussions regarding efforts to end the war.
These concerns arise amidst differing views between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the direction of the conflict. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to end the war, whereas Netanyahu has pushed for the resumption of military operations, despite a ceasefire being in place since 8 April. Although fighting has largely subsided following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire agreement, negotiations for a more permanent peace have repeatedly reached a deadlock. The differing stances of the two leaders are cited as a factor increasing Israel’s focus on Washington’s decision-making process.
The New York Times reported that Israel has long been known to conduct intelligence activities against the US. However, the DIA noted a significant increase in activity since late 2024, when the Joe Biden administration began increasing pressure on Israel regarding the war in Gaza. This surge in activity reportedly continued into 2/5/2025, after Trump returned to office and began considering new strategies towards Iran. The report also noted evidence that Israel is attempting to monitor Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as high-ranking Pentagon officials Elbridge Colby and his deputy, Michael DiMino IV. Witkoff is known to be a lead negotiator in nuclear talks that took place prior to the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran in February. The monitoring of these officials indicates Israel’s intense interest in the direction of Washington’s foreign policy.
While both NBC News and The New York Times cited unnamed US officials, the US Department of Defense has not yet provided an official response, although an unnamed spokesperson told both media outlets that the reports are ‘not true’. Nevertheless, the reports raise questions regarding the closeness of intelligence and military coordination between Israel and the US. For years, Washington has provided billions of dollars in military aid and arms sales to Israel, including during the war in Gaza.
The US Congress is currently discussing parts of a new defence bill that would integrate research and weapons development between the two nations at an unprecedented level. This plan has the potential to deepen defence cooperation despite emerging concerns regarding Israeli intelligence activities. According to The New York Times, US officials assess that the intensity of recent Israeli intelligence activity differs from that of other allies. The threat status assigned by the DIA is reportedly higher than that of most US allies and even some nations that have historically had strained relations with Washington. Several incidents have reportedly formed the basis for this assessment, including reports in 2021 that Israeli military intelligence attempted to plant bugging devices at DIA headquarters, and in 2025, that Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, Shin Bet, was found attempting to install similar devices in US Secret Service vehicles.