Washington | 5 Sep 2026
The Pentagon subjected about 50 senior military and civilian officials to polygraph examinations during an investigation into suspected leaks of classified information about United States weapons stockpiles, according to multiple US media reports citing officials familiar with the inquiry.
The unusually broad investigation followed reports about the rapid use of advanced American munitions during the conflict with Iran, including long-range missiles and Patriot air-defence interceptors. The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the identities of those examined or disclosed whether investigators have identified a suspected source.
Pentagon leak investigation reaches senior military officials
The examinations reportedly involved members of the Joint Staff, officials associated with US Central Command and personnel from other combatant commands. The tests focused on whether any of them had provided sensitive national-security information to journalists.
Officials familiar with the investigation said no participant failed the questions specifically intended to identify the source of the media disclosures.
General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was not among those subjected to a polygraph, according to a senior Pentagon official cited in US reports.
Polygraph examinations are used periodically for some military and civilian personnel with access to top-secret material or special-access programmes. Officials described the number of people examined in this inquiry as highly unusual and indicative of a targeted counter-intelligence investigation.
The inquiry followed reports that ongoing military operations had placed pressure on supplies of certain sophisticated weapons. The reported disclosures included classified assessments concerning long-range missiles, air-defence systems and other precision-guided munitions available to US forces.
The specific size and condition of American weapons inventories remain classified. Public reports describing shortages therefore cannot be independently verified, and US officials have maintained that the military retains sufficient weapons to meet operational requirements.
President Donald Trump rejected reports portraying the United States as facing a broad ammunition shortage. He said the country possessed large quantities of munitions and that defence manufacturers were expanding production.
Trump also called the disclosures “treasonous” and demanded severe punishment for whoever released the classified information. No individual has been publicly charged in connection with the reported weapons-stockpile leaks.
Pentagon says classified leaks threaten national security
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to discuss internal personnel or investigative matters but confirmed the department’s position on unauthorised disclosures.
“The Department does not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters but takes all leaks of classified national security information extremely seriously and investigates accordingly.”
— Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson
“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world.”
— Sean Parnell, Pentagon spokesperson
Officials said access to the leaked stockpile information was restricted to a relatively small group. One source cited in US reporting said investigators had considered whether a person with access to the material could be acting on behalf of a foreign intelligence service. No evidence supporting that possibility has been publicly released.
Hegseth formed task force with Justice Department
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in July that the Pentagon and Department of Justice had established a joint task force to identify and prosecute people suspected of leaking sensitive government information.
The initiative gave the Pentagon’s Office of General Counsel broad authority to seek information, records and assistance for leak investigations. Department personnel were directed to prioritise those requests and respond within two days.
“Leaked information risks lives.”
— Pete Hegseth, US Defence Secretary
The Federal Bureau of Investigation did not administer the latest polygraph examinations, according to officials familiar with the process. The US military operates its own investigative and counter-intelligence bodies.
Federal safeguards govern military polygraph use
US law permits a defence secretary to authorise counter-intelligence investigations that include polygraph examinations. Their use is nevertheless governed by legal restrictions and Pentagon procedures intended to protect the rights of personnel undergoing questioning.
Examinations may be used to address serious information discovered during a security investigation or to allow an individual to respond to allegations. Consent and other procedural safeguards are required in applicable circumstances.
A polygraph result alone is not proof that a person disclosed classified information. Investigators would require corroborating evidence before recommending criminal or administrative action against any official.
No suspected leaker publicly identified
The Pentagon has not announced any arrests, dismissals or formal disciplinary proceedings arising directly from the weapons-stockpile investigation. It has also not disclosed when the inquiry will conclude.
Investigators are expected to continue reviewing access records, communications and other evidence connected to the classified material. Any potential criminal prosecution would require coordination with the Justice Department and evidence establishing an unauthorised disclosure by an identifiable individual.
