Fifty military personnel and civilian officials in the United States allegedly underwent lie-detector tests after information about stocks of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors during the Iran war reached the press.
Conducted in August, the tests were part of an investigation into whether military and civilian officials had leaked information. The investigation allegedly also covered personnel linked to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, which comprises senior military leaders who advise the president.
The tests were conducted by the military's own investigators, not by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Not all senior military leaders were tested, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine was excluded from the process.
None of the officials allegedly failed the lie-detector tests. Investigators also examined whether someone inside the government was operating as a foreign spy, despite access to ammunition data being largely restricted.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell did not comment on the personnel or the investigation. Parnell said they considered the leaking of classified information extremely serious and investigated such incidents.
US President Donald Trump rejected claims of strategic ammunition shortages and said the military had large quantities of weapons. Trump described the leaks as "treasonous statements" and "fake news," arguing that those responsible would be found and face lengthy prison sentences.
The lie-detector tests were allegedly linked to a separate incident involving the unauthorized leak of a section from the Defense Secretary's order book. The leaked document allegedly stated that six four-star commanders opposed continuing large-scale operations against Iran and argued that the war was unsustainable.
Parnell described the leak involving the order book as a crime and a betrayal of the military. The Pentagon spokesperson also said that a substantial portion of the information cited in news reports did not reflect the truth.
