The FBI is investigating confidential document leaks about Israeli attack plans against Iran

The FBI said it is investigating the alleged leak of classified U.S. intelligence documents about Israel's plans to retaliate against Iran.

Iran has been preparing for a response since it launched a wave of nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1 in retaliation for the killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the head of Iran-aligned Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut fired.

The secret documents, distributed last week on the Telegram app by an account called the Middle East Spectator, describe Israeli preparations for a possible attack – but do not identify actual targets.

“The FBI is investigating the suspected loss of classified documents and is working closely with our Defense Department and intelligence partners,” the FBI said in a statement.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday that US authorities did not know whether the documents had been leaked or hacked.

“We are not entirely sure how these documents became public,” Kirby said, adding that such a leak would be “unacceptable.”

President Joe Biden suggested last week that his administration was privy to Israel's plans, answering “yes and yes” to a reporter who asked if he had a “good understanding” of how and when Israel would respond.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump seized on the apparent leak on Tuesday, calling it an example of government incompetence.

“They leaked all the information about how Israel will fight, how they will fight and where they will go,” the former US president said, exaggerating the actual content of the classified material.

“Can you imagine anyone doing that? That's the enemy, I guess, that's maybe the enemy within,” Trump said – using a formula to describe political opponents that has become a constant refrain at his campaign rallies.