U.S. government investigators sent about 50 members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to a lie detector test to find the source of information leaks to the media.

According to The New York Times, investigators asked military officers and civilian staff whether they had provided classified information to journalists.

The tests were carried out in Mordad and after reports were published about a lack of long-range missiles and Patriot interceptors.

Retired Admiral Donald Gutter said: “I have never seen a lie detector used on this scale and at this senior level. In my experience, it is unprecedented.”

Sean Parnell, a Pentagon spokesperson, said the ministry does not comment on “internal personnel matters or investigations.”