Updated 10/19/24 at 9:15pm EDT.
Leaked top secret documents from the Pentagon and the National Security Agency (NSA) outline Israeli preparations for a major attack against Iran, CNN reported on Saturday. The documents were published Friday on a Telegram channel, said to be affiliated with Iran, named “Middle East Spectator” that claims it received the information from a source within a US intelligence agency.
Besides the US, these documents, dated October 15 and 16, were only meant to be viewed by officials in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, Washington’s “Five Eyes” allies. CNN cites “three people familiar with the matter,” including one that confirmed the documents’ authenticity. The documents can be viewed here and here.
The documents, including a visual intelligence report from the Pentagon’s National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, details ongoing activities being carried out in anticipation of the attack in Iran at Israeli Air Force (IAF) bases.
Here are the docs. Looks like it’s just US observations while spying on Israeli drills. Biggest thing I think is the acknowledgment of Israel having nuclear weapons. https://t.co/c1AoQUYbvj pic.twitter.com/QHEedOEhV7
— Dave DeCamp (@DecampDave) October 20, 2024
The US has observed, “IAF exercises using air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs), air-to-surface ballistic missiles, fighter jets, UAVs, and refueling tankers previously used during Israeli strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen… The IAF has handled at least 16 Golden Horizon ALBMs and 40 IS02 (Rocks) ALBMs since October 8,” reports Times of Israel.
According to CNN, one of the documents reveals that Israel maintains a nuclear weapons arsenal which, for decades, has been an open secret. This is highly controversial, as amendments made to US foreign assistance laws by US Senators Stuart Symington and John Glenn in 1976 make Washington’s huge military aid to Israel illegal because Tel Aviv is not a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. But successive US presidents since Richard Nixon, including Joe Biden most recently, have agreed with their Israeli counterparts to never acknowledge Israel’s approximately 90–300 nukes.
US officials are telling the media that the leak is “extremely serious.” At the same time, officials emphasize that it will probably not affect Israel’s plans. Without commenting further, the Pentagon as well as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence have not disputed the documents’ authenticity. The US has apologized to Tel Aviv for the leak, an Israeli source told Haaretz.
Washington is expected to be involved with the Iran assault either by providing intelligence support to Israel, or less likely by pursuing direct military action. Earlier this week, the US bombed Houthi targets in Yemen using B-2 long-range stealth bombers, which haven’t seen combat since 2017, in a message to the Islamic Republic.
Israel’s attack is being framed as retaliation against Tehran for Iran’s October 1 barrage of roughly 200 ballistic missiles which targeted Israeli military sites. That missile attack came in response to a litany of Israeli provocations, amidst its genocidal war against the Palestinians, including the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh while he was visiting the Iranian capital this summer.
Earlier on Saturday, reports surfaced of a drone attack on a home belonging to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Israel’s Channel 12, an official said this will imply “greater legitimacy for a wider range of targets” concerning the upcoming Iran strike. Netanyahu has fingered Hezbollah for the drone attack, although the group has not claimed responsibility.
Connor Freeman is the assistant editor and a writer at the Libertarian Institute, primarily covering foreign policy. He is a co-host on the Conflicts of Interest podcast. His writing has been featured in media outlets such as Antiwar.com, Counterpunch, and the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity. He has also appeared on Liberty Weekly, Around the Empire, and Parallax Views. You can follow him on Twitter @FreemansMind96.
If true the plan only discusses using ballistic missiles not the 2000-or-more-lb bunker buster ones that require Israeli jets to be directly above the underground nuclear facilities…! They could not however use bunker busters in their ballistic missiles…!
Correct.
Sounds like a false flag to me, courtesy of the CIA and MI6.
Sounds like a false flag to me, courtesy of the CIA and MI6.
I'm sure the "accidental leak" was on purpose to make it clear to Iran that Israel possesses weapons of mass destruction.
It's very well known that Israel has nuclear weapons.The western governments helped in their development.
Of course the apartheid pariah states of South Africa and Israel coordinated on that, both backed by the west. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vela_incident
Well, that CNN reported on the contents of the leak and not solely on the leaker should at least make anyone very skeptical that there isn't a deliberate component to this information being made public.
Albert, excellent point as usual. The intercept reported a while back that all CNN reporting on Israel, no matter where on the globe, gets filtered by censors in Israel.
CNN RUNS GAZA COVERAGE PAST JERUSALEM TEAM OPERATING UNDER SHADOW OF IDF CENSOR
https://theintercept.com/2024/01/04/cnn-israel-gaza-idf-reporting/
More likely it was a Pentagon whistleblower trying to sabotage the Israeli strike by leaking info. Similar to that National Guard IT guy who leaked Ukraine docs.
For comparison purposes, the Gaza Strip is 141 square miles while Iran is 636,000 square miles.
Israel-Iran war is more likely to trigger a full-scale WW III than NATO-Russia proxy war in Ukraine.
I rather doubt Hezbollah denied responsibility for the drone attack on Netanyahu's house. Hezbollah usually claims credit for everything they do.
But if it was NOT Hezbollah, then who was it?
Mossad/CIA? Like RBE said, false flag?
It was a false flag because the drone that hit his residence flew passing Israeli Apache helicopters without Any reactions from them…!
Wasn’t his residence. It was his vacation home.
Same difference…!
What is fascinating is the possibility that this was leaked by US intelligence. Is it to intimidate them or to warn them?
The additional confirmation that Israel has nukes leads me to think it was a threat. What?
Perhaps this secret document was exposed by an Iranian American agent working for US intelligence, CIA or NSA…! I am sure Scott Ritter would have a better explanation…!
Since the documents were a nothingburger with no details or any real secret info, I think the “leak” wasn’t a leak.
Other leaked docs in social media shows Iran map with potential targets and description of each…!
That isn’t leaking a threat to Israel.
The other strange aspect of this fake leak is the Five Eyes knowledge which indicates the culprit of US as the main source…!…!
Or maybe, the Intel will blame Ukrainian fisherman who leaked it.
Exactly.
It has been known that Israel has nuclear weapons. Iran certainly knows that.
Yes. It is very well known but it hasn’t been something Israel bandies about. Now they are.
Israel didn't. This leaked intel report – which is classified, so no one sees it – did.
If it’s leaked intentionally, it lets everyone know it. Psy-op intimidation.
See above. More likely a Pentagon whistleblower trying to sabotage the upcoming war with Iran.
It might be an attempt to goad Iran to develop an atomic bomb to then come back and say we told so that Iran has been working to make nuclear weapons.
Hmm.
1) Iran better develop several nuclear bombs. ASAP.
2) Iran and Hezbollah better issue a coordinated attack. ASAP
3) If the U.S. going to be doing the air refueling, then that makes the U.S. a co-culprit in the coming attack. The bases where the tankers are housed need to be leveled. Every port in Israel needs to be leveled.
4) Russia and China better pay attention.
Iran is no threat to the U.S. . Iran is not my enemy. Damn our government and the cowards in congress. We are about to go to war with another country, and to do so requires advice and consent of congress.
Agree with everything except 1). As I've said before, it's impossible for Iran to become a credible nuclear threat before it's nuked by Israel and/pr the US. The Iranians know that and have said so. Not going to happen.
True, but for one thing: the people running this government don't give a crap what we think. They're going to do whatever they want to do, just as their surrogate is doing in the ME.
We. Have. No. Say.
We. Have. No. Voice.
Those days are long gone.
Their control is so perfect, we can't even be sysiphean. Like you, I'm inclined to spend my last pilgrimmage on the road to the ontotheology of this being in the world, if also praying all long the way for the Palestinians.
Nunc dimittis, RBE
Best would be Russia stationing nuclear missiles in Iran with Russian technicians and letting the World know.
Deterrence is what is needed. Not actual use.
That is completely illogical. Russia doesn't need to create a situation that could lead to a nuclear war that would destroy their country. They are not insane.
No, no! Kamala said Iran is the greatest threat to American security. (And this nitwit wants to be President)
1. Why are you rooting for a US enemy vs. a US ally? Clearly Iran is not only a US enemy – the chants "Death to America!" at their rallies – they have also attacked US military bases, kidnapped Americans, and supplied weapons to Russia to fight against US ally Ukraine.
2. Hezbollah seems like a paper tiger. They can't even protect their own leadership from bombs and exploding pagers.
3. The US has designated Israel a "major non-NATO ally", so that means they will help them. But you advocate attacking American troops. If you are an American, that is treasonous.
4. Iran constantly works against US interests and seeks to dominate the oil-rich Middle East – so, yes, the US has many reasons to support their destruction. Remember how the Iranians bombed US troops a few years ago, causing 100 traumatic brain injuries? I guess not.
”Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran! Please take my hand! Don’t bomb Iran!”
You are summoning the specter of the monster McCain
As others have said, it seems more like a purposeful leak than a real leak … the quick follow up by CNN and the lack of denial (they could have just not commented) … but what's the purpose? Perhaps an excuse to delay the attack …?
A threat, I think. Psy-op. Intimidation.
I see it more of trying to soften the blow by being more prepared. But Russia is already doing that for Iran.
Earlier on Saturday, reports surfaced of a drone attack on a home belonging to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Israel’s Channel 12, an official said this will imply “greater legitimacy for a wider range of targets” concerning the upcoming Iran strike.
And this is because only Israel can target their enemies leaders. And it doesn't matter if they take out a few hundred innocents when they're doing so. But any similar attack by Israel's enemies will be justification for a "wider range of targets" in Iran. It's similar to their terrorism being acceptable.
I've spent most of my life solving problems over several careers. I've enjoyed the company of many here because this is one of the few places where I've seen people who regard the country I grew up in as one of the sources – if not the source – of planet Earth's problems.
This said, I have only a relatively brief time left on this planet, and I've decided to try to stay away from wasting that time to the extent possible. I honestly do not see any way this planet will survive the clot of monsters who are sucking the life out of the country I grew up in.
So I'm taking an extended break. I wish you all well.
Seriously?!…RBE, you rock!
You will be missed for your wisdom RBE. But I wish for you some peace and enjoyment of life.
Come back willingly only.
I understand very well and sympathize. Living in reality as a person inflicted with the curse of empathy often feels like carrying a stone inside your stomache that gets replaced with a heavier one the moment you resign to it.
I hear that. But don't feel like you have to stick to your word. It's hard to stay away because you care. I'm sure you've had similar thoughts before. We probably all have. Anyway man, I hope to see you comment again. You're one of the good ones. If not, take care and thanks for your insightful comments.
So, the leak was "extremely serious." Then why isn't CNN in Belmarsh Prison?
This deserves a thousand upvotes.
Larry Johnson on the codes, and who was permitted to see each section of the report, etc: Some allies were left out.
More Fallout From Leak of US Intelligence on Israel Prep for Iran Attack
20 October 2024 by Larry C. Johnson
https://sonar21.com/more-fallout-from-leak-of-us-intelligence-on-israel-prep-for-iran-attack/
SIMPLICIUS Ѱ reposted
Sina Toossi
@SinaToossi
·
23h
🧵A very important piece: an Israeli outlet reports severe morale loss and exhaustion among soldiers, with many now refusing to serve.
Based on interviews with soldiers and families across units, it's described as a "suppressed but growing phenomenon."
https://ha-makom.co.il/idf-droppings/
I hope we can handle things diplomatically.