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

The investigation reportedly focuses on information that appeared in media reports about shortages of important US weapons following the war with Iran. The New York Times reported that the disclosures included details about reduced stocks of critical munitions.

Both military officers and civilian employees were questioned during the investigation. Investigators sought to determine whether any of them had provided classified information to members of the media. They were also asked whether they had shared information about declining US supplies of key weapons and ammunition.

Polygraph Tests Conducted in August

The polygraph examinations were carried out in August. They followed several media reports that raised concerns about shortages of critical US weapons. The reports highlighted limited supplies of long-range missiles and Patriot air defence interceptors. These weapons are considered important components of the US military's ability to respond to major security threats.

The Joint Staff is a senior military body that supports the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It has between 1,500 and 2,000 military officers and civilian officials working within the organisation. The investigation therefore involves only a portion of the personnel working with the Joint Staff.

Pentagon Says Leaks Are Taken Seriously

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined to 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 sensitive information remains essential to US national security and the safety of American forces deployed overseas.

“Securing classified information is critical to ensuring the security of the United States and of our troops deployed around the world," he added.

Focus on US Munitions Stocks

The investigation comes after growing media attention on the availability of important US weapons. Reports about shortages of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors have raised questions about the condition of American munitions stocks after the Iran war.

Authorities are now examining whether classified information about those shortages was improperly provided to journalists.

The polygraph examinations form part of that broader effort to identify the source of the leaks and determine whether classified national security information was disclosed without authorisation.