Hungary reportedly offered to share intelligence with Iran regarding Israel's September 2024 pager attack that targeted Hezbollah operatives, according to a report by The Washington Post. The revelation has raised serious questions about Budapest's geopolitical allegiances and its standing within NATO and the European Union.
The Washington Post reported that it obtained a Hungarian intelligence document indicating that Budapest was prepared to provide Tehran with details about the covert Israeli operation. The attack, which took place in September 2024, involved the simultaneous detonation of pagers used by Hezbollah members across Lebanon, killing dozens and wounding thousands. The operation was widely attributed to Israel, though Israel did not officially claim responsibility at the time.
The alleged intelligence-sharing offer has drawn sharp criticism from Western officials and analysts, who argue that such an act — if confirmed — would represent a significant breach of trust among NATO allies. Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has long maintained closer ties with both Russia and Iran compared to other EU and NATO member states, frequently diverging from the bloc's consensus on foreign policy matters.
Hungarian officials have not publicly confirmed the report. The Washington Post's account is based on documents it says it obtained, though the full details and context of those documents have not been independently verified by all outlets. The story adds to ongoing scrutiny of Hungary's intelligence relationships and its broader foreign policy orientation under Orbán's government.
