The proxy war between Israel and Iran took a hit earlier this week with the leak of US documents detailing plans to attack the country.
Immediately after the incident, one name appeared on the lips of Israeli intelligence sources: Arian Tabatabai.
Israeli intelligence insiders told the Post that the Iranian-born Pentagon official had previously been named as part of a covert influence operation conducted by Tehran in October 2023. Republicans even call her a spy.
However, Tabatabai remains employed by the US intelligence community, which has categorically denied that she had anything to do with the breach.
Israeli intelligence sources remain skeptical, having learned that its closest ally has leaked a possible retaliatory strike against Iran for the Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel were planning retaliation against Iraq. Reuters Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has been tipped off to Israel’s plans for retaliation. Khamenei.IR/AFP via Getty Images
“If she did that, she would be tracked down,” one Israeli intelligence official told the Post on condition of anonymity.
The official added: “The U.S. intelligence community is too embedded within our nation's intelligence community to ensure that our nation's sensitive information is adequately protected.”
News website Semafor reported in September 2023 that Tabatabai, a senior policy adviser, had previously appeared eager to be recruited into an operation run by Tehran’s foreign ministry.
“She is suspected of collaborating with the Islamic regime before,” a U.S.-based Iran expert told the Post. “Some called for her security clearance to be revoked."
Arian Tabatabai has already been named as part of a covert influence campaign run by the Iranian government, raising the suspicions of two Middle East insiders. New American Security Center
Tabatabai also happened to be a key aide to the currently suspended Iranian envoy Robert Malley, who is said to have ties to the bloodthirsty Iranian regime led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.
He was placed on sensitive unpaid leave last year in connection with allegations of improper handling of “protected material.”
At the time, Tabatabai was allowed to keep his job, which paid him $153,454 a year.
He recently rose through the ranks within the Pentagon, rising from Chief of Staff to Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Education and Training.
Many of Iran’s missiles against Israel have been stopped by the country’s famous Iron Dome. Reuters Despite Israel’s best efforts, some Iranian missiles have passed through the Iron Dome. They destroyed buildings like this. AFP (via Getty Images)
The Jerusalem Post described Tabatabai as “an official with suspected ties to Iran amid leak investigations and espionage accusations.”
But the Pentagon insists Tabatabai is not a suspect in the breach. “The FBI is investigating the alleged leak of classified documents and is working closely with the Department of Defense and intelligence agencies,” Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a press conference on Oct. 22.
After Ryder was asked specifically about Tabatabai, he replied, “…the officials mentioned are not of concern.”
Pentagon officials have maintained that none of their staff, including Aryan Tabatabai, was responsible for the breach. king’s college london
Tabatabai did not respond to requests for comment from the Post.
Echoing Israeli intelligence sources, Iranian experts pointed out how a large number of people with security clearance could be behind the leak.
The expert said, “There was a lack of oversight of (multiple individuals) involved with Iran.”
In addition to infuriating Israel and the United States, the leak, according to Israeli insiders, “derailed our planned attack” for Iran, regardless of who was behind it, and therefore has a negative impact on Iran in the short term. This was a significant benefit.
The Iranian expert added that the leak has far-reaching negative effects beyond a single incident. “Islamic regimes are not only competing against Israel. Iran has also become the number one enemy to U.S. security interests. That goes against the Western world. This is something we treat very carefully. It’s the only topic that should be.
