Boehner 'shocked' by report of Israeli spying
WASHINGTON — House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said Tuesday he was "shocked" by a report alleging Israel spied on the Iranian nuclear talks and back-channelled information to lawmakers to undermine negotiations.
"I was shocked by the fact that there were reports in this press article that information was being passed on from the Israelis to members of Congress," Boehner said Tuesday, "I'm not aware of that at all."
The Wall Street Journal reported late Monday that Israel has been spying on the international talks to reach a nuclear accord with Iran, and that officials leaked information to unnamed U.S. lawmakers to undermine the Obama administration's effort to secure a deal.
Asked whether Israel's actions were appropriate, Boehner said he was unsure of any information shared. "I'm baffled by it," he said. Israel denied the allegations in the report.
Boehner sparked controversy earlier this year when he extended an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress without consulting the White House. Netanyahu appeared March 3 and won his re-election bid two weeks later. The international talks are ongoing.