The U.S. Justice Department has charged a former government official for allegedly leaking highly classified information about Israel’s potential retaliation plans against Iran.
The individual, Asif William Rahman, a former CIA officer, was arrested by the FBI in Cambodia on Tuesday and faces charges of unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information, according to court documents obtained by major news outlets.
Rahman reportedly held top-secret clearance, allowing him access to sensitive U.S. intelligence, and worked closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which specializes in satellite data to support military and clandestine operations.
Documents from the NGA detailing Israel’s possible strategies against Iran were allegedly leaked by Rahman on October 17 while he was outside the U.S. This prompted a joint investigation by the FBI and Pentagon after these documents surfaced on a Telegram channel in October.
The U.S. District Court in Guam filed the charges, and Rahman is set to appear in federal court on Thursday. This case highlights the security risks posed by unauthorized intelligence disclosures, especially amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East. The leaked documents reportedly surfaced just as Israel was considering counterstrikes following a series of escalating incidents, including Iran’s attacks in response to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and Syria.
