Trump admin sees increasing threat of espionage from Israel over Iran deal: report

The Times reported that intelligence reports “include concerns that Israel has stepped up its efforts to eavesdrop on senior American officials, including Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s top negotiator, Elbridge A. Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and one of his main deputies, Michael P. Dimino IV.”

The reports come at a time when tensions between the US and Iran have been heightened as negotiations have repeatedly stalled. The report says that the counterintelligence threat level has gone up in recent weeks from Israel. Although there have been intelligence reports of spying taking place, both countries have been known to tolerate a certain amount of spying on the other, according to the report.

Over the course of the conflict with Iran, the US has been sharing a large amount of information with Israel about the war, but the country is looking for more insight on Trump’s tactics with negotiations.

The reports could further complicate the planning between the US and Israel if the Pentagon places restrictions on the info flow between the US and Israeli intelligence.

Additionally, there has been reported tension between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump acknowledged a phone call this past week where he reportedly called Netanyahu “crazy” as Israel’s fighting with Hezbollah may have been holding back peace talks with Iran.

Despite this, Trump said that his relationship with Netanyahu was still strong. “We’ve worked very well together. I like Bibi a lot. And I work very well with him,” Trump told reporters.

Some current and former US officials spoke to the Times on condition of anonymity that Israel has long engaged in intelligence collection on the US and the United States likewise.

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