The leak of information from the US “stretches the rope” in relations with Israel, reports CNN in its analysis. It is not the content of recent US intelligence leaks about Israel’s war plans per se – as they are not all that damaging – but the fact that such a leak occurred in the first place that has raised concerns in Israel.

The two US documents, classified as secret, offering information about a possible Israeli attack on Iran were published on a pro-Iranian Telegram channel this weekend, with Washington apologizing to Israel for the leak.

The leaks came amid preparations for Israel’s imminent strike on Iran, and as the “toxic” US presidential election campaign enters its final stretch.

“Leaks don’t happen out of nowhere,” a former Israeli intelligence official told CNN. “And someone violated US law by revealing these secrets.”

The question is who?

US officials told CNN that the investigation is now looking into who had access to the documents.

The findings have not yet been made public, but Israeli sources tell the US network that such a “small leak” is unlikely to have been the work of an Iranian spy who has infiltrated US intelligence.

The two classified documents, which describe satellite images of recent Israeli military exercises and movements of Israeli military equipment, just don’t seem important enough for an Iranian spy to risk, they said.

It is possible that the leak was the work of a disgruntled US official or military employee, as was the case with leaks earlier this year and in 2022.

However, Israeli media are hinting at more conspiratorial views about the latest US leaks, even suggesting that this could have been a deliberate leak from Washington as the Biden administration tries to curtail Israeli military operations.

That’s a claim Israeli officials are reluctant to discuss, even in off-the-record talks. However, although it has not been confirmed, the former senior Israeli intelligence official told CNN that the tough US presidential election campaign could explain the motivation behind the leak.

“It strains the relationship between the US and Israel and makes the current US administration look like it can’t keep its own secrets,” the former official observed. “We have to ask ourselves who does this benefit.”

“The leak is very worrying”

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that an investigation is underway into the leak of classified documents related to Israel’s preparations to attack Iran. Speaking to CNN, Johnson said: “There is a classified update … we are following the matter closely.”

The speaker of the House of Representatives called the leak “very disturbing” and that he would receive an update later today Sunday. “The leak is very worrying. Serious complaints are being made. The investigation is ongoing and I will receive an update on it in a few hours,” he noted.

Johnson added that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday to “encourage” him and said he was not in a position to suggest what Israel’s response should be to Iran’s recent attack.