Leaked US intelligence reveals potential strike by Israel on Iran

Documents describe satellite photos of Israeli military exercise, covert surveillance

WASHINGTON – The leak of a pair of highly classified US intelligence documents describing recent satellite images of Israeli military preparations for a potential strike on Iran offers a window into the intense US concerns about Israel's plans. It also has US officials working to understand the size of the improper disclosure.

The two documents were prepared in recent days by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, which is responsible for analysing images and information collected by American spy satellites. They began circulating on Oct 18 on the Telegram app and were being discussed by largely pro-Iran accounts.

The documents, which offer interpretations of satellite imagery, provide insight into a potential strike by Israel on Iran in the coming days. Such a strike has been anticipated in retaliation for an Iranian assault earlier in October, which was itself a response to an Israeli attack.

One of the documents is titled "Israel: Air Force Continues Preparations For Strike On Iran", and describes recent exercises that appeared to rehearse elements of such a strike. The second document details how Israel is shifting the placement of its missiles and weapons in case Iran responds with strikes of its own.

Officials were divided over the seriousness of the leak, which did not appear to reveal any new US capabilities.