### Biden Administration Probes Unauthorized Leak of Top-Secret Documents on Israeli-Iranian Tensions

President Joe Biden is expressing deep concern over the unauthorized release of top-secret documents involving Israel's military preparations for a possible retaliatory strike on Iran. The uncertainty surrounding whether the sensitive information was leaked or hacked has prompted an intensive investigation by the Pentagon, as confirmed by White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby.

Kirby emphasized that there is currently no evidence indicating further leaks of similar classified documents. "The president remains deeply concerned about the leakage of classified information into the public domain. This is neither supposed to happen nor is it acceptable when it does," he stated.

The leaked documents, attributed to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency, detail Israel's mobilization of military resources following Iran's devastating ballistic missile attack on October 1. These documents were intended to be shared within the "Five Eyes" intelligence alliance, which includes the United States, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. The highly sensitive documents first surfaced online through the Telegram messaging app on Friday and quickly disseminated among channels frequented by Iranians.

According to SITE Intelligence Group, a consultancy specializing in online threat analysis, the documents began circulating on a Telegram channel popular with Iran-backed militias. The individual responsible for the post is an anonymous user known for previously releasing other allegedly top-secret information. This individual claimed to have sold some of the leaked material to the Iranian military.

The timing of the leak is critical as Israel deliberates its response to the missile attack by Iran. Rita Katz, SITE's co-founder, noted, "Even the smallest item such as this relatively innocuous document can influence directions and decisions."

Representative Mike Turner of Ohio, the Republican chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed these concerns, highlighting the significant repercussions any information leak could have, particularly amid the current volatility in the Middle East. Speaking to the BBC, Turner mentioned that if the situation is indeed an intentional leak, it would constitute a criminal act and espionage.

The Telegram channel responsible for the leak is based in Tehran and has previously posted content supporting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the nation's "Axis of Resistance," which includes numerous militant groups.

Digital footprint investigations are underway to trace how the classified documents were exposed, according to Gavin Wilde, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Wilde expressed confidence in the intelligence community's enhanced capabilities in tracking digital chains of custody.

Despite the incident, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that President Biden maintains full confidence in the Pentagon and the intelligence community. She refrained from commenting on specific measures taken post the recent Discord leak but assured that efforts to bolster cybersecurity have been ongoing.

Spokespeople for the Pentagon and the NSA have acknowledged the incident but refrained from providing additional details at this time.