Investigation finds Israel's spy agency targeted US officials, undermined Iran deal

An investigation undergone by NBC News has found that Israeli private security firm, Black Cube, attempted to discredit the Obama administration officials who worked on the Iran deal - and, by extension, the deal itself.

British newspaper The Observer and The New Yorker first reported the undercover campaign to discredit the Iran deal earlier in the month.

Sources that spoke to NBC News claimed that the Iran operation was launched days after US President Donald Trump visited Israel in May 2017.

A raid was allegedly carried out in Tehran last January by the Israeli agency to steal documents on Iran's nuclear programme - the details of which were later presented by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to kill the Iran deal and prompt US withdrawal.

In a statement released by Black Cube to NBC News, the security firm claimed to have no relationship to the Iran nuclear deal.

"Anyone who claims otherwise or anyone suggesting Black Cube is targeting U.S. officials is misleading their readers and viewers," the statement said.

"Luckily," it continued, "the Mossad and the CIA are capable to deal with the Iran nuclear deal and other issues of national security without relying on the expertise of Black Cube."

The firm added that it "always operates in full compliance of the law in every jurisdiction in which it conducts its work."

The security firm made headlines last year after it emerged it had been hired to intimidate and disparage women who spoke out against Harvey Weinstein, as well as reporters investigating the claims.

Founded in 2011 by former military officials, Black Cube holds close ties to the intelligence community, many of its recruits being former Mossad agents.

The firm offers services to both corporate clients, as well as governments.

"We help our clients identify their adversaries’ sensitive points or vulnerabilities, or evidence of their misconduct," its website reads, boasting of the ability to provide "otherwise unobtainable information."

The Iran campaign is the first public case of the Israeli firm’s interference in US politics.