50 US Military Officials Face Polygraph Tests In Iran War Leak Probe
50 senior US officials face polygraph tests over Iran war leaks.
US government investigators have administered polygraph tests to about 50 senior military officials and civilian employees as part of an investigation into classified information allegedly leaked to journalists, according to a report by The New York Times. The inquiry comes amid reports about shortages of key munitions during the ongoing Iran war.
The tests were conducted in August and involved personnel working with the US military's Joint Staff, according to the report. Investigators questioned officials about whether they had disclosed sensitive information to journalists. The reported focus included leaks concerning the availability of critical weapons, including long-range missiles and Patriot air-defence interceptors.
The reported investigation marks an unusually broad use of polygraph examinations involving senior Pentagon personnel. The New York Times reported that the effort was intended both to identify individuals who may have disclosed classified information and to deter others from making similar disclosures. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but treats leaks of classified national security information seriously.
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The investigation comes amid increased restrictions on media access at the Pentagon. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has not held a press briefing on the Iran war since May 5, while access for journalists at the Pentagon has also been limited. Last month, Stars and Stripes editor-in-chief Erik Slavin, publisher Max Lederer and Middle East correspondent Lara Korte were removed from their positions following a dispute involving the newspaper's coverage of conditions aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
The reports about weapons availability have also drawn criticism from US President Donald Trump. On Thursday, Trump rejected claims that the United States was running short of ammunition and described those reporting or warning about shortages in strongly worded terms. In posts on Truth Social, he maintained that the US had extensive stocks of weapons and argued that reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate.
Trump also reiterated that the United States was producing munitions at unprecedented levels and was stockpiling supplies for potential contingencies. The Pentagon's reported leak investigation, meanwhile, places renewed attention on the handling of classified information within the US military as questions surrounding weapons inventories and the Iran war continue to generate scrutiny.
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