US military puts 50 officials through Polygraph Tests

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has subjected dozens of senior military officers and civilian officials to polygraph tests as part of an investigation into unauthorised leaks about US weapons stockpiles and the strain placed on American forces by the war with Iran.

According to reports cited by CBS News, investigators administered the tests to around 50 personnel in August. The inquiry focused on members of the Joint Staff and other officials who had access to sensitive information about long-range missiles and Patriot air-defence interceptors.

The reported disclosures suggested that US stocks of some precision weapons had come under pressure during the conflict. CBS News previously reported that the United States had used nearly all of its global stockpile of certain long-range precision missiles, including ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles.

The latest investigation was reportedly conducted internally by the military rather than the FBI. Not every senior leader was included in the sweep, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine reportedly excluded.

Despite the intensive questioning, CBS reported that none of those tested failed the polygraph examinations over whether they had leaked information to the media.

Investigators were also reportedly examining the possibility that someone with access to highly restricted weapons data could have been working for a foreign intelligence service.

The Pentagon declined to discuss individual personnel or internal investigations but stressed that unauthorised disclosure of classified information is taken seriously.

President Donald Trump has strongly rejected reports of critical weapons shortages, saying the US has “massive amounts” of munitions and that more weapons are being manufactured. He has described the disclosures as “treasonous” and vowed to pursue those responsible.

The controversy comes amid wider concerns inside the US government over the pace of weapons consumption. Earlier reporting indicated that rapid use of interceptors and precision-guided weapons had raised concerns about American military readiness and the ability of defence manufacturers to replenish supplies quickly.

The leak probe has therefore become more than an internal security investigation, highlighting tensions between battlefield demands, weapons production and the Pentagon’s efforts to control sensitive information about the Iran conflict.