US 'administered' polygraphs to military officers for Iran war leaks

US investigators in August administered polygraph tests to 50 military officers and civilian officials following leaks concerning depleted American munitions stocks, according to multiple media reports on Friday.

The probe targeted personnel with the Joint Staff, a group of senior military leaders advising the president, focusing on leaks regarding shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors due to the war with Iran, The New York Times reported.

A CBS News report revealed that the FBI was not involved in conducting the tests, as the military utilized its internal investigators. Not all senior leaders were tested, with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine being excluded from the sweep.

US President Donald Trump is said to be furious about the unauthorized disclosures.

No officials failed the polygraph questions designed to determine if they leaked information to the media, according to CBS News. Investigators were also concerned about whether a government official was potentially operating as a foreign spy because access to the specific munitions data was highly restricted, it said.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the agency "does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters" but takes classified leaks "extremely seriously and investigates accordingly."

Trump denied the reported strategic shortages, insisting the military possesses "massive amounts" of weaponry. Trump labeled the disclosures as "treasonous statements" and "fake news," warning that those responsible would be "hunted down" and face severe prison sentences.

The polygraph sweep followed separate unauthorized disclosures, including a leaked portion of the Secretary of Defense Orders Book. The document showed six four-star leaders formally expressing dissent about extending large-scale operations against Iran, warning the war is "unsustainable" and erodes global readiness.

Parnell condemned the leak as a "crime" and "a betrayal of the force" and said much of the reporting was inaccurate.