Fired US general admits leaking classified Iran, Ukraine information to journalists: Report

The US Army general dismissed by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth admitted to leaking classified information about the wars in Iran and Ukraine to journalists over roughly a year, according to an internal investigation report reviewed by Axios.

Lt Gen Brett Sylvia, who headed the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate, known as the J5, acknowledged sharing classified information with two journalists from separate media outlets, the report said.

Also Read: US removes top military strategy official amid possible Iran strikes


A US official told the news outlet that Sylvia made the admissions on video after failing multiple polygraph tests during the investigation.

Sylvia was dismissed on Wednesday over what the Pentagon described as severe misconduct. The investigation has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action and remains ongoing.

The disclosures allegedly began in June 2025 and continued after the Pentagon tightened restrictions on media access. According to the report, Sylvia communicated with the journalists through the encrypted messaging app Signal and met one of them in person at a Silver Diner in Arlington, Virginia.

During one meeting, Sylvia allegedly used notes made while reviewing a classified report to orally share information about US assistance to Ukraine. The journalist, who was working on a book, met him twice.

Sylvia did not coordinate the meetings with the Pentagon’s public affairs office or seek clearance before sharing the information, the report said.

Sylvia told investigators he could not recall the precise contents of a Signal message he received in June or July, which he believed concerned Iran. He said he had accidentally deleted the entire conversation thread. US officials suspect he deliberately erased the communications, according to Axios.

An official separately told Al Jazeera that Sylvia was under investigation for leaking classified information related to the Iran war, Russia’s war against Ukraine and other matters.

The official said Sylvia had failed three polygraph tests and accused him of putting national security at risk.

The official added that Sylvia was not involved in central planning for the Iran war, which was handled by US Central Command and its commander, Adm Brad Cooper.

President Donald Trump, asked about the dismissal on Thursday, said Sylvia had “big problems” and that the administration was “very much looking for leakers”.

The dismissal comes amid Hegseth’s broader crackdown on unauthorised disclosures.

In July, the Pentagon announced a joint task force with the Justice Department to identify leakers and prioritise prosecutions over the unauthorised release of classified information.