Pentagon reassigns employee linked to Iran attack plans leak to a position with limited classified access

Ariane Tabatabai has been reassigned to a role overseeing education and training within the Defense Secretary’s office, resulting in significantly reduced access to classified intelligence and military operations. Despite her name being associated with a leak of intelligence documents concerning Israel’s plans for a strike on Iran, the Pentagon maintains that she was not the leaker.

Previously, Tabatabai served as the head of the Office of Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict, granting her access to critical classified intelligence on U.S. covert operations. Her new position, however, limits her access to such sensitive information.

Amid the leak allegations, some Republican lawmakers have been advocating for the revocation of Tabatabai’s security clearance due to her reported connections to Tehran. Recently, Sky News Arabic reported that she was the source of the leaked documents detailing preparations for the Israeli strike on Iran, which were published before the operation. Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder has denied these claims, stating that an investigation is underway and that the Pentagon is working with Israel. The actual source of the leak remains unidentified, according to ynet reports.

Tabatabai, an American of Iranian descent, previously held high-level security clearance and worked alongside Robert Malley, the former special envoy for Iran, who was dismissed last year for improper ties with the Islamic Republic.