US intelligence reports and testimony from American officials have revealed growing concern over Israeli espionage activities targeting senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration, including key negotiators involved in ongoing talks with Iran.
According to information reported by The New York Times on Saturday, concerns are mounting in Washington that Israel has been spying on American officials participating in negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement with Iran, including US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
US officials told the newspaper: “Israel’s intelligence-gathering efforts to determine our positions in the talks with Iran have crossed acceptable boundaries.”
Senior Officials Targeted
The report stated that US intelligence assessments indicated Israel had intensified efforts to monitor senior American officials, including Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and his leading aide, Michael DiMino.
Senior US officials told The New York Times that Israel is seeking information about President Trump’s strategy and his evolving positions regarding negotiations with Iran.
They added that intelligence reports concerning Israeli espionage could complicate efforts to expand military integration between the United States and Israel.
According to the officials, the increase in Israeli intelligence activities could lead the Pentagon to impose new restrictions on information shared with Israeli military officers.
The newspaper also cited US intelligence reports indicating that tensions have emerged between Washington and Tel Aviv over Trump’s efforts to secure an agreement with Iran.
The reports further noted concerns that Israel may have been monitoring Witkoff and other senior negotiators as they worked towards a deal with Tehran.
Surveillance Software Discovered
The New York Times reported that a document produced by the US Defence Intelligence Agency revealed that Pentagon personnel stationed in Israel discovered covertly installed surveillance software on their mobile phones that was capable of monitoring their communications.
US officials told the newspaper: “Our level of concern regarding Israeli intelligence activity is now higher than for any other ally, and even higher than for some hostile states.”
The newspaper also quoted a senior US official as saying: “Israel’s approach to intelligence collection is unprecedentedly reckless and undisciplined.”
US officials added that some members of the Trump administration had made themselves vulnerable to surveillance operations by travelling on private aircraft and conducting national security affairs through their personal mobile phones.
Israeli Denial
The newspaper said it contacted the Pentagon, which declined to comment on the report.
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, dismissed the allegations as false.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Israeli embassy in Washington rejected claims that Israel poses a counterintelligence threat, telling the newspaper that Israel does not spy on American officials or institutions.
