Pentagon gives polygraphs to Joint Staff officials in attempt to find munitions info leak - report

US President Donald Trump has threatened “long-term jail sentences” for anyone found responsible for releasing information about the US munitions stockpiles.

US government investigators have subjected some 50 members of the US military's Joint Staff to polygraph tests over leaks to journalists, including information about the US's diminishing stockpile of munitions due to the Iran war, The New York Times reported on Saturday morning, citing officials briefed on the situation. 

The military officers and civilian employees were asked if they disclosed classified information to members of the press, including information about US munitions stockpiles in August after reports emerged detailing diminished stocks of munitions, including long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors, the NYT wrote. 

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that 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.”

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

Trump threatens source of leak with jail time

In early August, US President Donald Trump expressed frustration that information about shrinking US munitions stockpiles has become public, arguing that the disclosures make the United States appear weak as he threatens further military action to pressure Iran into reaching a deal.

Trump pushed back on the claims on Truth Social, stating that “The US has massive amounts of ‘munitions,’ especially of certain types.”

Trump nevertheless appeared to confirm that supplies of some weapons were limited. He threatened “long-term jail sentences” for anyone found responsible for releasing the information.

Speaking later in the Oval Office, Trump said certain munitions were in “tighter” supply, while maintaining that the United States had a “virtual unlimited supply” of less advanced weapons.