Around 50 personnel working with the US military’s Joint Staff have undergone polygraph examinations as part of an investigation into suspected leaks of information to journalists, officials familiar with the matter said.

The investigation reportedly focuses on disclosures about shortages of important US military munitions following the Iran war. The New York Times reported that some of the leaked information involved reduced stocks of key weapons.

The people questioned include both military officers and civilian employees. Investigators are trying to determine whether any personnel provided classified information to members of the media. They were also asked whether they had disclosed sensitive details about declining US supplies of critical munitions.

US Joint Staff Personnel Undergo Polygraph Tests

The examinations were conducted in August after several media reports highlighted concerns over shortages of important US weapons. Those reports pointed to limited supplies of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors. The disclosures raised questions about the availability of key weapons following the conflict with Iran. The Joint Staff has between 1,500 and 2,000 officers and officials working for it. The roughly 50 people who underwent the examinations therefore represent only a portion of the organisation's personnel.

Pentagon Responds to Classified Information Leak Investigation

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell did not provide specific details about the investigation. According to the New York Times, Parnell said 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."

He stressed that protecting classified information is essential for US national security and for American military personnel serving overseas. “Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world," he added.

US Munitions Shortages Reportedly Linked to Iran War

The investigation comes after a series of reports drew attention to shortages involving some of the US military's most important weapons. Long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors were among the systems reportedly affected. Authorities are now examining whether information about these shortages was improperly shared with journalists.

The polygraph examinations are part of the broader effort to identify the source of the disclosures and determine whether classified national security information was passed to the media without authorisation.