• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. US investigates classified military information leaks.
  2. Senior officials undergo polygraph tests in probe.
  3. Trump warns Iran of potential strike on Pickaxe Mountain.

The United States is investigating the leaking of highly classified military information to the media. The investigation comes as the US continues its military campaign against Iran, with the conflict entering its seventh month now. The leaked information reportedly includes sensitive details about US weapons and ammunition shortages linked to the Iran war.

Senior Military Officials Take Polygraph Tests

According to CBS news, citing US officials familiar with the matter, several senior US military officials were given polygraph or lie-detector tests as part of the investigation into the leaks. Around 50 people working with the US military’s Joint Staff reportedly underwent the tests. Earlier in the summer, a dozen officials including officials from the US Central Command and other combatant commands, were also tested.

Investigation Into Classified Information Leaks

While officials say that conducting polygraph tests is not unusual for senior military and civilian officials, the large number of people tested in this investigation is considered extremely rare. The investigation began after highly sensitive information about US weapons stockpiles was reported by news organisations.

According to officials, only a small number of people had access to classified information. This raised concerns about whether someone with access could have been working as a foreign intelligence asset. The polygraph questions reportedly covered a wide range of national-security issues, and it is reported that no one failed.

ALSO READ: 'Biggest Attack Waiting': US Targets IRGC Sites After Iran's Strikes On American Bases; Trump Warns Against Retaliation

Trump Angry Over Leaks

According to three officials, President Donald Trump was extremely angry about the leaks. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said, “The Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly. Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.”

Fresh Warning To Iran

Meanwhile, Trump on Friday warned that the US could strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain “very soon.” He reiterated that the main goal of the campaign was to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. “We’re in five months now. And you know what we did in five months? They’re not going to have a nuclear weapon, that’s what we did,” Trump said.

Notably, Pickaxe Mountain is located near Iran’s damaged Natanz uranium-enrichment facility. It is described as a heavily protected underground complex with two deeply buried tunnel systems.

ALSO READ: 'Name It Trump Strait': Trump Suggests Renaming Hormuz Amid Iran Tensions; Can He Do That?

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