DID Press: Around 50 U.S. military and civilian officials underwent polygraph tests in August as part of an investigation into leaks concerning U.S. munitions shortages during the war with Iran, according to U.S. media reports.
The New York Times reported that the investigation targeted personnel at the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, including senior military officials who advise the president. The inquiry focused on disclosures about shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot air-defense interceptors.
CBS News reported that the FBI was not involved in conducting the polygraph examinations and that the investigation was carried out internally by the U.S. military. Some of the highest-ranking officials were questioned as part of the sweeping leak probe.
Not all senior officials were subjected to the tests. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was reportedly excluded from the review.
The officials who underwent polygraph examinations were questioned about whether they had provided classified information concerning ammunition shortages to journalists. According to the reports, none of those tested failed the polygraph examinations in connection with leaking information to the media.
The investigation reflects President Donald Trump’s reported anger over unauthorized disclosures of sensitive information about U.S. military readiness and weapons inventories during the conflict with Iran.