FBI Director Kash Patel Fired Iran Counterintelligence Unit Days Before Trump Launched Strikes On Iran

Multiple outlets report that FBI Director Kash Patel dismissed about a dozen agents and staff from the Washington, D.C.-based counterintelligence unit known as CI-12 just days before the United States launched what has been reported as Operation Epic Fury.

“Just days before the United States launched a major military operation in Iran, FBI Director Kash Patel fired a dozen agents and staff members from a counterintelligence unit tasked with monitoring threats from Iran, according to two sources familiar with the matter”

CNN

CNN wrote, “Just days before the United States launched a major military operation in Iran (reported as Operation Epic Fury), FBI Director Kash Patel dismissed about a dozen agents and staff from the Washington, D.C.-based counterintelligence unit CI-12, sources told reporters.”

CNN

The Times of India reported that MS Now said FBI Director Kash Patel last week fired about a dozen agents and staff involved in the classified-documents probe of Donald Trump, singling out an elite counter-espionage unit known as CI-12.

The Independent stated that FBI Director Kash Patel last week fired about a dozen agents from CI-12 after learning his and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ phones were subpoenaed in the probe of classified documents at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, MS Now reported.

The New Republic reported that Kash Patel abruptly fired about a dozen agents from CI-12, an FBI counterintelligence unit that monitored threats from Iran and its proxies, after accusing them—without presenting evidence—of improperly investigating Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Reports emphasize CI-12’s specialized, Iran-focused role within the FBI.

The unit handles counter-espionage, probes of mishandled classified material and illegal media leaks, and monitored Iranian retaliation threats after the 2020 strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

Crooks and Liars

CNN describes CI-12 as handling cases from mishandled classified material to tracking foreign spies and as a key unit for monitoring Iranian retaliation threats, noting it helped track threats after the 2020 strike that killed Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

The Times of India says the dismissals targeted CI-12, a unit that handles counter-espionage and investigations of illegal media leaks and mishandling of classified material, with a focus on the Middle East (particularly Iran and its proxies), Cuba and some terrorist groups, and that CI-12 does not handle China or Russia.

The Independent adds that CI-12 consisted of veteran agents with specialized Middle East training.

The New Republic summarizes the unit’s mission as monitoring threats from Iran and its proxies.

Several sources tie the dismissals directly to the probe of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and to internal sensitivities around that investigation, while also reporting that allegations against the agents were presented without substantiation.

“The FBI Staffers Kash Patel Ousted Because They Worked on Mar-a-Lago Probe Had Iran Expertise: Report FBI Director Kash Patel fired at least a dozen counterintelligence staffers at the FBI mere days before the U”

Mediaite

CNN reports the officials 'were removed because each had been involved in the probe of President Donald Trump’s alleged retention of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.'

The Times of India states Patel 'accused the team that investigated Trump’s removal of top-secret records at Mar-a-Lago of taking improper investigative steps — an allegation MS Now notes was made without evidence.'

The New Republic likewise says he acted 'after accusing them—without presenting evidence—of improperly investigating Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.'

The Independent connects the timing to subpoenas in that probe and reports the firings came 'after learning his and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles’ phones were subpoenaed in the probe of classified documents at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.'

Sources and officials quoted in the pieces warn the personnel moves risked degrading the bureau’s Iran-focused capabilities at a sensitive moment, but the accounts differ on the scope and immediate consequences of the timing.

CNN reports that the firings — and the reassignment or ouster of several other senior officials tied to Trump-related investigations — stripped the Justice Department and FBI of decades of experience and could hamper counterterrorism and intelligence work in the wake of the Iran operation.

The Independent

The Independent says the dismissals came days before the U.S. and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury — airstrikes on Iran that have widened conflict in the region — raising concerns inside the FBI that the purge weakened its Iran-focused capabilities.

The New Republic frames the timing more dramatically, stating the dismissals occurred days before Trump launched what the article describes as an illegal military campaign that toppled Iran’s regime and sparked a wider regional conflict.

The Times of India reports MS Now’s claim that the firings came days before Operation Epic Fury and that the outlet reported it killed Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, illustrating sharp differences in how outlets describe the strikes and their effects.

The Justice Department and the FBI declined to comment on personnel specifics while public statements emphasized ongoing counterintelligence capacity.

“FBI Director Kash Patel’s vengeful firing of FBI agents who worked on the probe intoclassified documents at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate left the department without an elite global spy unit that monitors threats from Iran”

The Independent

At least one outlet reported expectations of additional firings.

The New Republic

CNN recorded that the Justice Department did not comment and that the FBI declined to discuss personnel moves but said it maintains a robust, countrywide counterintelligence operation.

The Independent reported that agency officials told MS Now they expected further firings and that an FBI spokesperson declined to discuss personnel matters while citing a robust counterintelligence operation and strong 2025 results.

The New Republic noted that The New York Sun first reported that CI-12 employees were targeted, and The Times of India emphasized that the firings were reported by MS Now.

These accounts derive from reporting by multiple outlets rather than direct official confirmation in the provided pieces.