Asif William Rahman, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employee pleaded guilty to leaking classified documents related to Israel’s plans to strike Iran. A federal court in Virginia declared the plea on January 17, 2025, sentencing the CIA Whistleblower to 10 years of imprisonment.
Rahman has worked for the CIA since 2016 and he held a top-secret clearance until his dismissal. During his tenure as a CIA personnel, he came across some secret information regarding Israel’s plan to attack Iran’s nuclear project. He also came across sensitive, and highly classified documents about Israel’s military capabilities. He had the top security clearance, so he downloaded, printed, and distributed the documents on Telegram.
According to reports, Rahman printed five documents somewhere in the spring of 2024. He printed another 10 documents in the autumn of 2024 again. Finally, he downloaded two more documents on 17th October 2024. Every time he deleted his electronic device to hide the breach. Later the accused was arrested in Cambodia.
The U.S. Justice Department found this alleged act a breach of national security. Moreover, they have also described this as a deliberate and malicious act. The CIA Whistleblower has also been widely condemned for the act since the leak of such sensitive information could have several consequences, including compromising ongoing intelligence operations. Besides, as the department has described, it can jeopardize the safety of U.S. personnel and allies, which indicates that the U.S. is also involved in this plot at the behest of Israel against a sovereign nation, Iran.
Because of breaching the CIA’s secret operation on behalf of Israel, the court ruled a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison which is scheduled for May 15, 2025.
