CIA analyst who leaked Israel strike plan sentenced to three years
A former CIA analyst who leaked classified documents about Israel's plans to strike Iran has been sentenced to 37 months in prison.Asif William Rahman, 34, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of willful retention and transmission of national defence information under the Espionage Act.Authorities say that, using his high-level security clearance, Rahman printed, photographed and sent out top secret documents. They later ended up being circulated on social media.Israel carried out air strikes on Iran last October, targeting military sites in several regions, in response to the barrage of missiles launched by Tehran weeks earlier.
"For months, this defendant betrayed the American people and the oaths he took upon entering his office by leaking some of our Nation's most closely held secrets," John Eisenberg, assistant attorney general for national security, said in a press release.In October 2024, documents appearing to be from a Department of Defense agency were published on an Iranian-aligned Telegram account.The documents, bearing a top-secret mark, were viewable between the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, made up of the US, Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The leaked documents are also said to have contained the US' assessment of Israeli plans ahead of the strike on Iran and the movements of military assets in preparation.One referred to Israel's nuclear capabilities, which have never been officially acknowledged.When asked about the leak, former President Joe Biden said he was "deeply concerned". Israel ended up carrying out those air strikes later in the month, targeting military sites in several regions in response to missiles fired by Tehran weeks prior.Rahman, who worked abroad, was arrested by the FBI in Cambodia and brought to the US territory of Guam to face charges.
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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Live updates: Israel attacks Iran
Israel attacked Iran's capital early Friday, with explosions booming across Tehran. An Israeli military official said that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclea r and military sites, without identifying them. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation. Air-raid sirens preventatively rang out in Israel. The attack comes as tensions have reached new heights over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program. The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones. Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn't want — though officials there have repeatedly warned it could. ___ Here's the latest: Headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is ablaze An Israeli attack on Iran has set the headquarters of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze, state television reported Friday. A reporter on air said he was unable to get closer due to the intensity of the fire in Iran's capital, Tehran. Multiple sites in the capital had been hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted both sites of and officials leading Iran's nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal. Netanyahu says Israel struck nuclear and missile sites Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country's ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials. He said Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called it an intolerable threat that must be stopped. US Sen. Reed calls Israel's strike 'a reckless escalation' U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the Israeli strike 'a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.' 'These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces,' he said. Reed added: 'I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.' Dozens of commercial flights over Iran as attack begins Dozens of commercial airliners were in Iranian airspace as the strikes took place, according to flight tracking websites. More than an hour after the Israeli attack, some were still making their way out of Iranian airspace, but some abruptly altered course to more quickly exit the area. Many nations' jets already did not overfly Iran because of regional tensions. Scope of attack remains unclear The extent of Israel's strikes remained unclear early Friday. Explosions could be heard across Tehran, Iran's capital city. There were some images circulating of damaged residential buildings. Iranian state television also was being careful in how they described the assault, suggesting that some areas outside of Tehran that had also been hit. Netanyahu says strikes respond to threat to Israel's survival Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address on YouTube that the country launched 'a targeted military operation roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.' He added that the attacks will continue 'for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.' Israel closes its airspace Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that attacks were expected. 'In the wake of the state of Israel's preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately,' he said in a statement. The statement added that Katz 'signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front.' 'It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas,' it said Rubio says Israel took 'unilateral action' U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took 'unilateral action against Iran' and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense, while warning Iran not to target U.S. forces in retaliation. In a statement, he said: 'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.' Israeli official says Air Force is targeting nuclear and military sits An Israeli military official says that his country targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, without identifying them. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation. The Israeli official said Iran poses three threats to state of Israel: First, he alleged that the Iranian government is advancing a 'secret program' to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S. intelligence community assesses that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. Second, the Israeli official said, Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles. Finally, he said Iran has been distributing weapons and arms to proxy groups across the region like Hezbollah and Hamas. — Josef Federman Trump on White House lawn as explosions begin As the explosions in Tehran started, President Donald Trump was on the lawn of the White House mingling with members of Congress. It was unclear if he had been informed but the president continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes. Earlier in the day, Trump said an Israeli attack over Iran's nuclear program was not imminent 'but it looks like it's something that could very well happen.' The U.S. has been preparing for something to happen, pulling some diplomats from Iraq's capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East. The White House did not have an immediate comment Thursday night.
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Rubio says US not involved in Israeli strikes against Iran
WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday the United States was not involved in Israel's strikes against Iran while also urging Tehran not to target U.S. interests or personnel in the region. "Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," he added.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Israel says it has launched strikes on Iran's 'nuclear programme' as blasts heard in capital Tehran
Update: Date: 02:01 BST Title: Watch: Air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem as Israel declares state of emergency Content: Israel declared a state of emergency, after conducting strikes on Iran, saying it expected an attack in the "immediate future". Watch as sirens sound in Jerusalem: This video can not be played Watch: Air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem as Israel declares state of emergency Update: Date: 01:58 BST Title: 'Israel has no choice but to act' IDF says on social media Content: The Israeli Defence Force has acknowledged the strikes on its English-language social media account on X, external. It says that dozens of Israeli Air Force jets "completed the first stage" of the attack, which includes "strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran". It says that weapons of mass destruction in the hands of Iran are an "existential threat" to Israel "and to the wider world". "The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfil the obligation to act in defence of its citizens," it says. Update: Date: 01:56 BST Title: IDF: Strikes are 'against Iran's nuclear program' Content: A spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has said that Israel has launched a "pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive" to strike Iran's nuclear programme. It added the strikes were in response to the "Iranian regime's ongoing aggression against Israel". Dozens of Israeli jets were involved in the "first stage" on "nuclear targets" in different areas of Iran, the statement said. It didn't elaborate on whether there would be more strikes. "Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the wider world." It said the IDF is "ready to continue to act as required". Update: Date: 01:52 BST Title: Secretary of State Rubio says US not involved in strikes Content: We have just gotten a statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio: 'Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.' We are waiting to hear from President Donald Trump. Update: Date: 01:51 BST Title: Israeli military says Iran has enough nuclear material to create bombs 'within days' Content: Jo FlotoMiddle East bureau chief in Jerusalem Iran has enough nuclear material to create 15 nuclear bombs 'within days', a senior military official tells the BBC. In recent months, secret attempts to assemble these weapons have been made, the official says. Update: Date: 01:48 BST Title: Flights suspended at Tehran's international airport Content: All flights at Tehran's main international airport have been suspended, according to Iranian state media. Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport is located just over 30km southwest of the Iranian capital. Update: Date: 01:42 BST Title: Trump said he didn't want Israel to strike Iran Content: Bernd Debusmann JrReporting from Washington DC At the White House earlier today, it was quiet on the events in Iran. US President Trump was asked about the threats of a strike and was explicit that he did not want to see any Israeli strikes in Iran yet. "As long as I think there will be an agreement, I don't want them going in," he said, adding that any strike could "blow it" when it comes to negotiations. He added that he believes an attack is "fairly close." "I don't want to say it's imminent," he said of a potential Israeli attack. "But it looks like something that could well happen." Additionally, Trump said he would "love to avoid a conflict". "They [Iran] are going to have to be willing to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now," he said. Update: Date: 01:40 BST Title: Strikes are 'against Iran's nuclear programme', Israel says Content: Jo FlotoMiddle East bureau chief in Jerusalem An Israeli military official says that there are multiple strikes and that they are "against Iran's nuclear programme and other military targets". It involves dozens of strikes in different areas of the country, the official says. It is targeting long-range missiles and targets related to the nuclear programme, the official adds. Update: Date: 01:37 BST Title: Israel changes Home Front Command Guidelines Content: Israel has announced changes to its Home Front Command Guidelines, which are guidelines issued to Israel's citizens in emergency situations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said the guidelines would be shifted from "Full Activity" to "Essential Activity", as of 03:00 local time (01:00 BST) on Friday. Those new guidelines include a "prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors". Update: Date: 01:32 BST Title: Woken in Israel by sirens and phone alert Content: Tom BennettReporting from Jerusalem We were just woken up here in Jerusalem - where it's just gone three in the morning - by a short burst of sirens followed by a phone alert. Israel has conducted "pre-emptive" strikes against Iran and is now preparing for a retaliatory missile and drone attack, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz. We'll bring you more as we have it. Update: Date: 01:29 BST Title: Israel declares 'special state of emergency' Content: Hugo BachegaBBC Middle East correspondent Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a statement declaring a "special state of emergency" across Israel and expects an attack "in the immediate future" This is the full statement announcing the strikes on Iran and declaring the state of emergency: Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future. Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel. You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas. Update: Date: 01:27 BST Title: Explosions heard near Tehran, Iranian state media says Content: Explosions have been heard north-east of Tehran, the Reuters news agency is reporting, citing the Iranian state-run Nour News. It added the cause of the explosions were not immediately clear. BBC reporters have also heard from people in Tehran confirming explosions. Update: Date: 01:24 BST Title: US officials 'knew Israel was ready to launch operation into Iran' Content: US officials were told on Wednesday that Israel was ready to launch an operation into Iran, the BBC's US partner CBS reported, citing officials familiar with the matter. The officials said this was part of the reason the US had advised some Americans to leave the region, and that the US anticipated Iran could retaliate on certain US sites in Iraq. Update: Date: 01:21 BST Title: Israel says it has launched 'pre-emptive' attack on Iran as explosions reported in capital Content: Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announces that Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike on Iran, and declared a state of emergency in Israel. The announcement says: "Following the State of Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future." Update: Date: 01:15 BST Title: Israel announces strike on Iran Content: We're hearing reports of explosions in Tehran in Iran, and Israel says it has launched "pre-emptive strikes". Stay with us as we bring you the latest on this breaking story.
