CIA official with top security clearance charged with leaking top-secret documents about Israel's attack plans against Iran

A CIA official has been accused of leaking top-secret US documents about Israel's possible plans to retaliate against Iran over a missile attack.

Asif W. Rahman, who worked for the agency overseas and had a top-secret security clearance, was arrested by the FBI in Cambodia on Tuesday over the leaks, The New York Times reported.

His arrest came after top-secret materials began circulating online last month outlining Israel's apparent intention to retaliate after Iran fired a volley of rockets on October 1.

The files, prepared by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, included some detailed satellite images related to the possible Israeli attack, as well as the different types of missiles available.

The top secret files should only be viewed by people with appropriate clearance in the United States and the other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance – Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Rahman's clearance at the CIA meant he had access to classified, segregated information, typical of employees who handle classified materials.

The FBI announced last month that it was investigating the source of the leak, saying at the time that it was “working closely with our partners in the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.”

Rahman, who is being arraigned in federal court in Guam, is charged with two counts of intentionally storing and disclosing national defense information.