Asif William Rahman admitted to repeatedly mishandling and distributing classified intelligence, including Israeli military plans targeting Iran. A former CIA analyst was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty earlier this year to leaking classified documents, including sensitive Israeli military plans to strike Iran, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.
Asif William Rahman, who joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 2016, admitted in a January plea deal that he had illegally downloaded, printed, and disseminated classified intelligence material on multiple occasions most recently throughout 2024.
“This case underscores the grave consequences of violating the trust placed in individuals granted access to the nation’s most sensitive secrets,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the DOJ’s National Security Division. “Mr. Rahman’s actions risked serious damage to U.S. foreign relations and compromised sensitive sources and methods.”
Repeated Breaches and International Fallout
According to court documents, Rahman took the classified materials from secured systems and shared them with unauthorized individuals. One of the most significant disclosures involved Israeli operational plans for a potential strike against Iranian nuclear infrastructure intelligence deemed critical to both U.S. and Middle East regional security.
Officials said the leaks could have jeopardized Israeli defense operations and strained diplomatic ties between the U.S. and its closest ally in the Middle East, especially amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program.
While the DOJ did not disclose the full extent of the damage, intelligence officials confirmed that some materials Rahman shared were marked Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) among the highest levels of classification.
Judgment and Accountability
Rahman, who had held a high-level security clearance, reportedly cooperated with authorities following his arrest. His attorneys argued for leniency, citing no evidence of espionage or foreign collusion. Nonetheless, prosecutors emphasized the “cumulative recklessness” of his actions. “While Mr. Rahman may not have sold secrets to foreign powers, his repeated disregard for protocols placed American interests and allies at risk,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves for the District of Columbia. In addition to his prison sentence, Rahman will face three years of supervised release upon completion of his term.
Wider Implications
The case highlights growing concerns within the intelligence community over insider threats and the increasing number of unauthorized disclosures of classified materials in recent years. It also renews calls for more stringent internal monitoring and cybersecurity reforms at intelligence agencies. This is the latest in a series of high-profile leak cases, including those involving former NSA contractor Edward Snowden and former Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of U.S. classified systems.
