The Pentagon has reportedly taken an unusual step to identify officials suspected of leaking sensitive information to journalists. Around 50 members of the Joint Staff were subjected to polygraph tests as part of an investigation into suspected leaks, The New York Times reported Friday night, citing officials briefed on the move.
The tests were reportedly intended to help investigators determine who within the military organization had been sharing information with the media.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Reports of U.S. Weapons Shortages Trigger Concern
The leak investigation comes as the United States remains involved in the ongoing Iran war. Several reports about the condition of U.S. military weapons supplies have reportedly angered senior Pentagon officials.
Multiple news organizations have reported that the U.S. military is facing shortages of important weapons and ammunition. The reports have focused on dwindling supplies of long-range precision missiles and Patriot interceptors, which are considered important to U.S. military operations.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Around 50 Joint Staff Members Undergo Polygraph Tests
According to officials familiar with the matter, the polygraph examinations were carried out in August. The tests reportedly followed several media reports about the military’s weapons stockpiles and concerns over supplies during the Iran war.
The Joint Staff has between 1,500 and 2,000 employees. With about 50 people reportedly subjected to polygraph tests, the investigation appears to have focused on a limited group of personnel.
The Pentagon has not publicly disclosed the identities of those who underwent the tests or provided detailed information about the investigation.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Pentagon Says It Takes Classified Leaks Seriously
Department of Defense spokesperson Sean Parnell told The Times that the Pentagon “does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly.”
“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world,” he added.
The comments underline the Pentagon’s position that protecting classified information is essential, particularly when U.S. troops are deployed overseas and military operations are underway.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Pentagon Previously Threatened Polygraph Tests Over Leaks
The latest investigation is not the first time Pentagon officials have considered using polygraph tests to identify suspected leakers.
In March 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reportedly threatened to subject Pentagon employees to polygraph tests after The New York Times, citing two U.S. officials, reported that the Pentagon was preparing to brief Tesla CEO Elon Musk about China.
The report about the planned briefing reportedly caused concern within the Pentagon and prompted officials to search for the source of the information.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Pete Hegseth Reportedly Rattled by Pentagon Leak
The following month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth was “rattled” by the leak.
The incident reportedly led to increased efforts to determine who had provided the information to the media.
During the search for the suspected leaker, Hegseth reportedly confronted Admiral Christopher Grady, who was serving as acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Hegseth Threatened Admiral Christopher Grady With Polygraph
According to two people familiar with the interaction, Hegseth became angry during the confrontation with Grady and threatened to subject him to a polygraph examination.
“I’ll hook you up to a f——-g polygraph!” Hegseth shouted at the admiral, the Journal reported.
Despite the threat, Grady was not subjected to a polygraph test during that episode.
US Israel Iran War Latest News: Pentagon Intensifies Efforts to Stop Sensitive Information Leaks
The latest polygraph examinations show how seriously Pentagon officials are treating unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information.
The investigation comes at a particularly sensitive time, with the Iran war placing significant demands on U.S. military resources. Reports concerning weapons shortages, military capabilities and classified operations can potentially reveal information that Pentagon officials consider critical to national security.
By testing dozens of Joint Staff members, investigators appear to be attempting to narrow down the source of information reaching journalists while reinforcing the Pentagon’s efforts to prevent further leaks.
