A former CIA analyst leaked top-secret Israeli military plans online, forcing Israel to delay strikes on Iran and shaking trust in U.S. intelligence security.
At a Glance
- Asif William Rahman was sentenced to 37 months for leaking classified information on social media
- The leaked data pertained to Israeli military plans against Iran, forcing rescheduling of operations
- Rahman’s actions highlighted significant vulnerabilities in data security within intelligence operations
- The U.S. intelligence community remains committed to investigating breaches of national security
A Breach in U.S. National Security
Former CIA employee Asif William Rahman has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for willfully leaking top-secret information, a breach that compromised an allied military operation. In October 2024, Rahman accessed and printed two classified documents detailing Israel’s planned airstrikes on Iran and distributed them via Telegram. The leak prompted Israeli military officials to reschedule operations, upending months of strategic planning.
Rahman had retained top-secret clearance since joining the CIA in 2016 and had been serving at the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia when he transmitted the sensitive files. His arrest by the FBI came weeks later, on November 12, 2024. The U.S. Department of Justice described the leak as a grave violation of national defense protocols that endangered American and allied lives.
Global Fallout and Strategic Consequences
The leaked materials revealed specifics of Israeli aviation exercises, military movements, and strategic responses to Iranian provocations. The exposure effectively reset Israeli military timelines and risked diplomatic fallout in a region already fraught with tension. John Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, said Rahman “betrayed the American people and the oaths he took.”
Watch a report: CIA Insider Leak Forces Israel’s Strategic Pivot.
U.S. officials emphasized that Rahman’s breach illustrates critical security vulnerabilities in intelligence operations. His ability to transmit highly sensitive materials without immediate detection raised alarms across national security circles. According to court filings, Rahman attempted to cover his tracks by deleting digital files and shredding printed documents, but these efforts failed to prevent his eventual prosecution.
Insider Threats and Institutional Response
Authorities assert that Rahman’s motivations stemmed from personal hardship and psychological distress, but stress that such factors do not excuse compromising national security. Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, warned that this case should serve as “a stern warning to those who place their own goals over their allegiance to our nation.”
Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division added that Rahman “not only violated the law; he also betrayed his oath as a government employee.”
The case has reignited calls for stricter vetting and monitoring protocols within intelligence agencies, particularly surrounding employees with access to high-level defense data. It highlights a persistent vulnerability: the threat not from foreign adversaries, but from within.
