Israel Spying on US : Intensified Surveillance of U.S. Officials in Iran Negotiations

Recent U.S. intelligence reports confirm that Israeli spy agencies have stepped up efforts to monitor senior American officials involved in negotiations with Iran. The targets include Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy; Elbridge Colby, a top Pentagon policy official; and Michael DiMino, one of Colby’s key deputies overseeing Middle East strategy.

A senior U.S. security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the operations as unusually intense. “This is about mapping every detail of Washington’s positions as talks with Tehran develop,” the source said.

Pentagon Raises Threat Level

In direct response, the Pentagon has raised Israel’s counterintelligence threat level from “high” to “critical” — the highest category — in an internal assessment. The change highlights concerns over both human intelligence and technical collection efforts directed at U.S. personnel.

Former U.S. intelligence officials note that while allies routinely spy on one another, the focus and timing here — during active U.S.-Iran diplomacy — have prompted a sharper reaction. The surveillance appears aimed at understanding U.S. red lines and negotiating strategies that directly affect Israeli security interests.

Witkoff has been central to exploratory talks with Iran, while Colby and DiMino represent voices pushing a more restrained, America-first approach to the region. Access to their internal thinking gives Israel clear advantages in influencing outcomes.

Longstanding Practice Meets New Friction

U.S.-Israel ties remain strong, backed by substantial military aid, joint exercises, and shared threats from Iran-backed groups. Espionage between the two countries has been an acknowledged reality for years, with Israeli efforts often ranked among the most aggressive by U.S. counterintelligence.

Israeli officials have denied the reports, calling them false. Nevertheless, the elevated “critical” designation is expected to result in tighter restrictions on information sharing, stricter vetting, and more cautious protocols in dealings with Israeli counterparts.

Security sources emphasize the stakes. For Israel, any deal with Iran involves existential questions of nuclear capability, proxies, and regional power. From the U.S. side, the activity raises direct questions about trust and reciprocity with a key partner.

This development makes clear that even close alliances operate with limited transparency. As negotiations continue, the reported spying adds another layer of complexity to U.S. diplomacy with Iran.