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

The US Army general fired by defence secretary Pete Hegseth admitted to leaking classified information about the wars in Iran and Ukraine to journalists over a period of 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 reporters from separate media outlets, according to the report. A US official told Axios that Sylvia made the admissions on video after failing multiple polygraph tests during the investigation.Sylvia was dismissed by Hegseth on Wednesday over what the Pentagon described as severe misconduct. The investigation, which has been referred to the Department of Justice for further action, remains ongoing.According to the report, the disclosures began as early as June 2025 and continued after the Pentagon tightened restrictions on media access.