Pentagon Expands Leak Probe as About 50 Joint Staff Members Face Polygraphs

U.S. government investigators have taken the unusual step of polygraphing about 50 Joint Staff personnel to determine whether they leaked information to reporters, including intelligence on shortages of key munitions caused by the Iran war. According to Sina Finance, investigators questioned Joint Staff officers and civilian employees about whether they disclosed classified information to the media and whether they revealed details about declining U.S. ammunition stockpiles. The polygraph effort began in August after multiple media reports said U.S. inventories of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors were running low. The Joint Staff has 1,500 to 2,000 officers and civil servants. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that the Defense Department would not comment on internal personnel or investigative matters, but takes all leaks of national security classified information very seriously and will investigate them. He added that protecting classified information is critical to safeguarding U.S. homeland security and the safety of U.S. troops stationed overseas.