The Pentagon has named Ariane Tabatabai, Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, as the primary suspect in a classified documents leak, according to Sky News Arabia. Tabatabai, an Iranian-American who also serves in U.S. Naval Intelligence, is under investigation following accusations of compromising sensitive information.
In 2023, members of Congress urged Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to suspend her security clearance, referencing a similar case involving Robert Malley, her former supervisor. The FBI is currently probing the leak of intelligence documents, which allegedly reveal Israel’s plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran.
These documents surfaced last week on a Telegram channel claiming to have received them from a U.S. intelligence source. In response, the FBI confirmed an active investigation, though declined further comment.
The U.S. is treating the leak seriously, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling the matter “very concerning.” Israel has stated it will retaliate against Iran following its October 1 missile attack.
