White House confirms investigation into classified documents shared on Telegram amid escalating tensions in the Middle East

In a significant development regarding U.S.-Israel relations, President Joe Biden has voiced serious concerns over a possible leak of classified U.S. intelligence pertaining to Israeli preparations for an attack on Iran. The leak, which surfaced on the messaging platform Telegram, is currently under investigation by the Pentagon, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

During a press briefing on Monday, Kirby addressed the situation, noting that the Biden administration is still determining whether the sensitive information was leaked or resulted from a hacking incident. “I know the Department of Defense is investigating this, and I’m sure that as they work through that, they’ll try to determine the manner in which [the documents] did become public,” Kirby stated. He underscored the administration’s deep concern over any classified information being disclosed, labelling such occurrences as “unacceptable.”

The White House press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, echoed Kirby’s sentiments, confirming that the matter is “being looked into” and expressing the president’s “complete confidence” in the relevant federal agencies tasked with handling the investigation.

The leaked documents reportedly contain detailed intelligence regarding Israel’s strategic response to a missile attack from Iran that occurred on October 1. A defense official revealed to CBS News that these documents include information on the positioning and repositioning of Israeli military assets in anticipation of a retaliatory strike against Iran.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also acknowledged the investigation during an appearance on CNN, emphasising the importance of understanding the nature of the leak. Kirby’s comments mark the first official confirmation from the Biden administration regarding the ongoing inquiry into the classified documents.

The documents appeared on a Telegram account known as the Middle East Spectator, which has a history of posting content sympathetic to Iran, although the account insists it is not a pro-Iran group. The emergence of these documents, marked as top secret, has raised alarms within the U.S. government, given the potential implications for both national security and the delicate balance of power in the Middle East.

As tensions continue to escalate in the region, the Biden administration is likely to face increased scrutiny regarding its handling of classified information and its response to Iranian threats. The situation remains fluid, with Biden and his team closely monitoring developments as the investigation unfolds.