explain something to me

Karl Rove’s defense up until now, if I understand it correctly, is that he didn’t identify undercover CIA operative Valerie Plame-Wilson “by name,” and thereby he shouldn’t be prosecuted. Apparently, at least in his reading of the law, one has to say something to the effect of, “Valerie Plame-Willson is spy,” and not just “Ambassador Joseph Willson’s wife is a spy,” in order to be found guilty of violating the statute in question. It seems like a bit of a reach, but let’s say it’s accepted by the courts… Would it then be legal, let’s say, for an American citizen in another country to point out a CIA operative to the secret police of a hostile nation, as long, of course, as they didn’t use his or her full name? Could I, for instance, tap an Iranian government official on the arm and say, “You know that woman who’s teaching your wife’s Jazzercise class? Well, he’s a spy,” and get away with it? If so, that’s one hell of a fucking loophole.