Defense Minister Benny Gantz Monday ordered the Shin Bet security agency to open an investigation into recent security leaks to the press regarding recent attacks on Iran that have been attributed to Israel.
His office said the request was sent to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit in accordance with protocol.
Gantz referred to the recent blackout at the Natanz nuclear facility and the strike last week on an Iranian vessel in the Red Sea believed to be used by the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guard Corps.
"I am not talking about a specific operation, but I do want to talk about the chatter issue," Gantz said.
"It is a severe issue and I turned to the Shin Bet and the IDF's Information Security Department to open an investigation into it. We can't operate when everyone is babbling. We can't accept these winkings and these 'Western sources' stories."
"It harms our troops, our security, and the interest of the State of Israel, and I think that there should be a thorough investigation," he added.
Gantz also hinted that the leaks came from the political echelon and the Mossad intelligence agency against Israel's policy of ambiguity regarding its activities against Iran, and that they have led Tehran to seek revenge against Israel.
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Iranian vessel 'Saviz' that came under an attack attributed to Israel in the Red Sea
(Photo: FleetMon)
Asked whether the country's policy of ambiguity had changed, Gantz said that "there was no discussion about it. I think that it is irresponsible behavior — and if it comes from personal or political interests, it is even worse."
"I don’t know where it comes from,” he added, “but I know where it is not coming from. I hope that the prime minister has great experience in the diplomatic-security field, and am not belittling it. I think that all other considerations should be pushed aside, and I hope that this is what he is doing," he said.