A former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official has been charged with leaking classified intelligence related to Israel’s plans for a potential retaliatory strike on Iran, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Asif Rahman, a former CIA officer with top-secret security clearance, was apprehended by the FBI in Cambodia and is scheduled to appear in a federal court in Guam on Thursday.
Rahman, who held assignments abroad during his tenure with the CIA, was indicted last week in Virginia on two counts of willful retention and unauthorized transmission of national intelligence. The charges involve classified documents detailing Israeli preparations for a potential military action against Iran. This information was reportedly shared on the Telegram channel Middle East Spectator.
While the leaked documents highlighted Israel’s potential plans, they did not specify particular military targets. This incident comes amid escalating tensions in the region, as Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1 in response to the deaths of Iran-backed leaders within Hamas and Hezbollah. Israel responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian military positions later in October.
