Ariane Tabatabai, a high-ranking Pentagon official, is under suspicion of allegedly leaking sensitive documents that included details of Israel’s plans for a retaliatory strike on Iran, according to a report by Sky News Arabia on Tuesday, which cited a Pentagon source.

The suspect, an Iranian-American who has not yet been formally charged, currently serves as the director of the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict.

Initially brought into the Biden administration’s team as part of the U.S. delegation in nuclear negotiations with Iran, the staffer later exited the team due to differences with its leader. After her departure from the negotiations, she continued her role in the Department of Defense as a senior policy advisor. In the past, some Jewish media outlets have accused her of acting as an agent for Iran.

In an August article posted by Arutz Sheva, Melanie Phillips wrote: “Shortly before the Oct. 7 pogrom, Tabatabei was named as an agent of influence for Iran—at the heart of the U.S. government and with the highest level of security clearance—as part of an Iran Experts Initiative created by Iranian officials to bolster Tehran’s position on global security issues within the Beltway.”

“She had been infiltrated into the U.S. State Department by Robert Malley, who was the point man on Iran under both the Obama and Biden administrations until he was removed in June 2023 following a still unexplained ‘mishandling of classified materials,’” Phillips continued.

The Pentagon official who spoke about the case noted that the Intelligence and Armed Services Committees in Congress were briefed on the individual’s identity because of her “top security clearance that gives her the right to view highly classified information.”

On Tuesday, the FBI confirmed it has launched an investigation into the leak involving Israel’s planned response to the October 1st missile attack from Iran.

“The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community,” the agency said in a statement. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we have no further comment.”

When asked whether any officials have had their security clearances restricted because of the investigation, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “This investigation is in its first few days and it’s important to let the investigation run its course. To my knowledge, this official is not a subject of interest and the department remains fully committed to supporting the investigation.”

{Matzav.com}