WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is investigating an unauthorized release of classified documents assessing Israel's plans to attack Iran, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press. A fourth U.S. official said the documents appeared legitimate.

The documents are attributed to the US Geospatial Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency and indicate that Israel continues to move military assets into place to carry out a military strike in response to Iran's devastating missile attack on October 1. They could be divided within the “Five Eyes”, which are the USA, Great Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.

The classified documents were posted online on Telegram and first reported by CNN and Axios. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

The investigation is also examining how the documents were obtained – including whether there was an intentional leak by a member of the US intelligence community or obtained through another method, such as a hacker attack – and whether other intelligence information was compromised. said one of the officers. As part of that investigation, officials are working to determine who had access to the documents before they were released, the official said.

The documents emerged as the US pressured Israel to take advantage of the elimination of terror Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza, and has also strongly warned Israel against further expanding military operations in northern Lebanon and risking a wider regional war. However, the Israeli leadership has repeatedly emphasized that it will not let Iran's missile attack go unanswered.

In a statement, the Pentagon said it was aware of the reports about the documents but had no further comment.