Israel has been forced to delay its military response to Iran launching nearly 200 ballistic missiles at them on Oct. 1 after a U.S. leak revealed sensitive details of the planned retaliatory strike, according to The Times of London.
A document that appeared to be a U.S. assessment of Israel’s likely response to Tehran’s missile barrage was published last week on a pro-Iranian Telegram channel. It referred to Golden Horizon and Rocks, two Israeli air-launched ballistic missiles, the British newspaper reported.
Government officials in Jerusalem are concerned the leak could help Tehran predict “certain patterns of attack.” The Israel Defense Forces have been forced to develop alternate plans to strike Iran that include detailed war gaming before the order to proceed is given, The Times said Thursday.
“The leak of the American documents delayed the attack due to the need to change certain strategies and components,” an intelligence source with knowledge of Israeli deliberations told The Times. “There will be a retaliation, but it has taken longer than it was supposed to take.”
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Wednesday visited an Israeli air force base on the northern edge of the Negev desert, where he assured the air and ground crews that the mission had not been canceled.
“I emphasized that after we attack Iran, everyone will understand your strength and the process of preparation and training,” Mr. Gallant posted on X. “Any enemy that tries to harm the State of Israel will pay a heavy price.”
The FBI has launched an investigation into the intelligence leak. The Pentagon denied Wednesday that Ariane Tabatabai, chief of staff to the assistant secretary of defense for special operations, was a subject of the federal inquiry.
“To my knowledge, this official is not a subject of interest,” Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, told reporters.
Ms. Tabatabai came under fire in September 2023 after dozens of Republican lawmakers demanded an investigation into reports that she had been part of an effort orchestrated by Tehran to bolster Iran’s public image and endorse its positions on global security issues.
“Leaked emails show Tabatabai asking the Iranian government for input on her speaking engagements and offering to consult with the Iranian government on a congressional briefing that she was invited to give,” the Republican lawmakers said in a statement.
The Pentagon later released a statement saying Ms. Tabatabai had been thoroughly vetted and cleared of any wrongdoing.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.