The espionage scandal that broke out in the United States is gaining momentum. The FBI has taken over the investigation, which is looking for someone who leaked secret files to the Network. They were intended for the USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and New Zealand.
The documents reported that Tel Aviv is practicing the use of air-to—ground missiles to attack Iran, Izvestia reports.
"The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and is working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and the intelligence community," the bureau said.
In the Telegram channel Middle East Spectator, which has 173 thousand subscribers, a two-page document appeared under the heading "Top secret" about the movement of Israeli troops and the preparation of the Jewish state to strike back at the Islamic Republic, dated October 15 and 16.
In particular, it was reported that Tel Aviv is practicing the use of air—to-ground missiles. One of the files was allegedly compiled by the US National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, the other by the US National Security Agency.
At the same time, one of the sources of the American TV channel CNN confirmed the authenticity of the documents.
The files also indirectly confirm that Israel has nuclear weapons, despite the fact that Tel Aviv categorically rejects this. At the same time, the Americans claim that they do not know the scale, goals, or timing of the alleged strike on the Islamic Republic. (In reality, US President Joe Biden told reporters that in Washington knows the details of Israel's response to Iran's missile strike. Biden answered "Yes and yes" in response to a journalist's question whether the United States has an understanding of what Israel's response will be and when it will take appropriate measures. However, he did not disclose the details.
Nevertheless, the documents note that Israel has Jericho II missiles with nuclear warheads, while there is no evidence that would indicate the country's intention to use nuclear weapons against Tehran.
The documents marked "Top secret" were intended for the countries of the "Five Eyes": the USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada and New Zealand. As explained by the interlocutor of the CNN channel, the incident was very disturbing to the American authorities, in particular, due to the fact that someone had access to secret documents.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened Tehran with consequences after Iran fired 181 rockets at Israel on October 1. As a result, one Palestinian was killed and two Israelis were injured.
Then, with reference to high-ranking sources in the US presidential administration, there were reports that Iran's nuclear facilities could be among the possible targets of an Israeli attack. The American leader in this regard noted that he considers the strike on the facilities disproportionate, while stressing that Tel Aviv has the right to respond, which should be "proportionate."
Tehran has warned countries in the region, including Jordan and the Gulf states, not to allow their airspace to be used for Israeli strikes.
Subsequently, The Washington Post newspaper, citing two informed sources, reported that the Israeli prime minister informed the American leader that he agreed to limit the strike on Iran and not include nuclear and oil facilities in the list of targets for attack.
As explained in the office of the head of the Israeli government, "Israel is studying US warnings that the promised retaliatory strike against Iran could lead to escalation." At the same time, Netanyahu stressed that Tel Aviv, although "listening to Washington's opinion, will make final decisions based on its national interests."
Orientalist, publicist, author of the Telegram channel Andrei Ontikov noted that it would be very strange if the Israelis did not strike Iran.:
"First of all, this is a matter of internal Israeli politics. If Netanyahu refuses such a blow or delays it too much, he will face big questions from his political opponents inside."
The political scientist added that as soon as any threat to Netanyahu arises in the face of fierce competition in the Israeli domestic political field, "he will stop it.":
"The strike that Tehran itself inflicted was quite limited in its damage, however, for the second time the Iranians directly attacked Israeli territory, and Netanyahu would very much not like anyone to have claims against the Israeli prime Minister about this."
Another question concerns the scale of this retaliatory Israeli attack — possible or future:
"This issue has been discussed a lot in the press, among the possible targets were Iran's nuclear facilities. But everyone understands perfectly well: if the Israelis strike at Iran's nuclear facilities, then the stigma of a boundless country will be fixed for a long time. This is in addition to the issues under consideration about the genocide in Gaza, etc."
Ontikov stressed that, in particular, the issue of striking Iranian oil facilities was considered, but the democratic administration of Joseph Biden is categorically opposed to this.:
"On the eve of the elections, Americans need as cheap gasoline as possible for the domestic consumer. And Israeli strikes on oil facilities in Iran will definitely lead to the fact that oil prices will soar, and quite strongly."