Pentagon denies official rumored responsible for Iran leak was involved

Two documents purportedly from U.S. government agencies, the National Security Agency and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, on Israel’s expected response began circulating online last week. The documents include sensitive information that reveals indications of how Israel intended to respond, though the leak may have forced the country to alter its response.

U.S. officials have not confirmed the authenticity of the documents but have indicated their veracity.

On Tuesday, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen Patrick Ryder denied that Ariane Tabatabai, the chief of staff to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Christopher Maier, is responsible for the leaks. Foreign outlets have pointed the finger at her, while her name has spread on social media.

“To my knowledge, this official is not a subject of interest, and the department remains fully committed to supporting the investigation,” Ryder said on Tuesday when he was specifically asked about Tabatabai, later adding, “I don’t want to start throwing out names to perpetuate information that, again, as I highlighted my knowledge, the official that was being referenced is not a subject of interest, so just leave it there.”

The FBI is leading the investigation.

“The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community,” a spokesperson for the FBI told the Washington Examiner, while an official with the Office of Director of National Intelligence told reporters there’s no indication that the leak is tied to foreign interference, indicating the leak may have been from within the department.

Tabatabai, an Iranian academic, was reportedly part of a Tehran influence operation known as the Iran Experts Initiative. In October last year, Maier told the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in the wake of Semafor’s reporting, “We are actively looking into whether all law and policy was properly followed in granting my chief of staff top secret, special compartmented information.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

On Tuesday, Ryder declined to answer several questions on Tuesday about the leaks due to the early stages of the investigation.

“The investigation is in its first few days, so it’s important to let that investigation run its course as it relates to the safety or the safeguarding of sensitive information. That is, of course, something that we take incredibly seriously here at the Department of Defense, and will continue to do so,” Ryder added.