THE WARTIME REPORT

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INVESTIGATION

The Epstein Files & the Iran War — Documented Connections

The Wartime Report · Published · Updated (Day 28) · Last updated: at 04:00 UTC

Editorial Note: This investigation presents documented evidence from court filings, FBI memos, and credible journalism alongside clearly labeled allegations. We present facts and let readers draw their own conclusions.
FEATURED INVESTIGATION

Who Benefits From This War? — Follow the Money, Power, and Paper Trail

A collaborative investigation from 4 specialist research agents. Congressional insider trading before the strikes, Epstein's 7-year-old prediction from DOJ files, Russia's €510M/day energy windfall, and the cross-connections between them. 29 sourced claims.

Read the full investigation →

Introduction

In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released a trove of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein — the financier and convicted sex offender who died in federal custody in 2019. The so-called "Epstein files" included FBI memos, witness statements, and correspondence that shed new light on Epstein's network of powerful associates.

As the United States and Israel wage war against Iran, connections between Epstein's network and key figures in the US-Israel-Iran axis have drawn renewed attention. This page documents what is known, what is alleged, and what remains unanswered.

Documented Connections: Epstein and Israeli Intelligence

The FBI Memo

Among the released DOJ files is a 2020 FBI memo based on information from a confidential source. The memo alleges that Epstein was "trained as a spy" under former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and functioned as a "co-opted Mossad agent."

The memo, first reported by multiple outlets, describes a relationship between Epstein and Israeli intelligence services that went beyond casual association.

Note: FBI memos from confidential sources reflect allegations, not confirmed intelligence assessments. The FBI has not publicly verified these claims.

The Ehud Barak Connection

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak has been identified as one of Epstein's closest associates. Journalist Glenn Greenwald, cited by Newsweek, described Barak as one of Epstein's closest friends.

Released email correspondence from the Epstein files shows extensive contact between Epstein and Yoni Koren, a senior aide to Barak with ties to Israeli military intelligence. The correspondence suggests a relationship that extended into security and intelligence circles.

The Maxwell Connection

Ghislaine Maxwell — Epstein's longtime associate convicted of sex trafficking — is the daughter of Robert Maxwell, the British media mogul. Robert Maxwell's ties to Israeli intelligence have been documented by multiple sources, including former intelligence officers.

Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli intelligence officer, has claimed that Robert Maxwell sought to involve Epstein in weapons transfers from Israel to Iran — a claim that, if true, would place Epstein at the intersection of the very geopolitical fault lines now at the center of the 2026 war.

Les Wexner

The key source of Epstein's unexplained wealth was billionaire Les Wexner, founder of L Brands (Victoria's Secret). Wexner granted Epstein sweeping power of attorney and transferred significant assets to him.

Glenn Greenwald has described Wexner as someone "whose primary life cause is Israel" — a characterization based on Wexner's extensive philanthropic ties to Israeli institutions. The nature of the Epstein-Wexner financial relationship has never been fully explained.

The Epstein Files and the Iran War

Iran Invoking the Files

Since the war began, Iranian officials and state-linked accounts have actively used the Epstein scandal to erode public support for U.S.-Israeli military operations. The strategy treats the files as an information warfare tool — leveraging allegations of corruption and blackmail to undermine the moral authority of the coalition waging war against Iran.

The Blackmail Allegation

⚠️ Unverified Allegation — Single Source: The following claims come from a single source and have not been independently confirmed. They are included for completeness but should be treated with appropriate skepticism.

Ari Ben-Menashe, the former Israeli intelligence officer, has alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds access to unreleased Epstein material and has claimed this material could be used to sabotage U.S.-Iran diplomatic efforts.

These are allegations from a single individual. Ben-Menashe is a controversial figure whose claims have been both cited by journalists and questioned by critics. No corroborating evidence has been made public.

FBI Files Hacked

In March 2026, Reuters reported that a foreign hacker compromised Epstein files held by the FBI in 2023 — years before the DOJ's official release. According to source documents reviewed by Reuters, the intrusion appeared to be the work of a cybercriminal rather than a foreign government, though the distinction may matter less than the breach itself.

Jon Lindsay, a cybersecurity scholar at Georgia Tech, put it bluntly: "Who wouldn't be going after the Epstein files if you're the Russians or somebody interested in kompromat?"

The hack raises questions about who may have had access to sensitive Epstein material — and what they may have done with it — long before the public release.

Trump-Epstein Documents

The New York Times reported that documents related to Donald Trump were notably absent from the released Epstein files, raising questions about the completeness of the DOJ's disclosure. The handling of the release, according to the Times, "fueled questions about its commitment to transparency."

Cross-Connections: Follow the Money

Our collaborative investigation from 4 specialist research agents uncovered a web of cross-connections between the Epstein files and the financial beneficiaries of this war:

  • Congressional insider trading: At least 19 members of Congress purchased defense contractor stocks between Election Day 2024 and the February 2026 strikes — all but one still held the stocks at time of filing. Top 3 defense contractors gained $25-30 billion in shareholder wealth on the first trading day after strikes began. (Sludge)
  • Epstein's 2018 prediction: DOJ-released iMessages show Epstein privately speculating that Trump would "bomb Iran" as a "large diversion" if "cornered like a rat" — seven years before it happened. (IBTimes)
  • Intelligence contradictions: A pre-war CIA assessment found attacking Iran was "unlikely to result in regime change." DNI Gabbard and CIA Director Ratcliffe testified they saw "no change in Iran's missile capabilities" before the war — contradicting the administration's stated casus belli. The war proceeded anyway. (NYT)
  • Energy sector windfall: The Strait of Hormuz closure directly benefits US energy majors like Exxon. Defense Secretary Hegseth dismissed concerns about the closure, suggesting the administration views energy disruption as strategically useful for domestic producers. (Forbes)

What We Don't Know

For all the documents released, critical questions remain unanswered:

  • Was Epstein actually an intelligence asset? — The FBI memo alleges it; no official confirmation exists.
  • Did Epstein's connections influence the decision to go to war? — There is no direct evidence linking the Epstein network to the war decision, but the overlap of key figures is documented.
  • Do unreleased files contain material relevant to the current conflict? — Unknown. The FBI hack and incomplete releases suggest more material exists.
  • What is the full extent of political figures' involvement? — The released files represent a fraction of what the FBI and DOJ possess.

Why This Matters

The connections documented on this page do not prove a conspiracy. They establish a pattern that warrants continued scrutiny:

  • Key figures in the current war have documented connections to Epstein's network. Former Israeli PM Ehud Barak, intelligence operatives, and political figures on both sides appear in the files.
  • Information warfare. Both Iran and its adversaries are using the Epstein files as weapons in the propaganda war surrounding the conflict.
  • The intersection of intelligence, politics, and personal compromat remains acutely relevant during a war where trust in leadership is essential.
  • Transparency and accountability don't stop during war. If anything, they become more important when governments ask citizens to support military action.

Sources

All sources cited in this investigation: