Former senior Mossad official Oded Eilam made the claim in an interview with the American newspaper New York Post, saying Israel has secret capabilities and strategies that could potentially bring down Iran’s government.
Eilam, who previously served as deputy head of Mossad’s global operations division, argued that Iran’s actual decision-making power does not rest with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi or the parliamentary speaker.
According to him, real authority lies with a four-member military leadership comprising Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi, Basij force commander Hossein Taeb, Iranian Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei.
The New York Post reported that these figures have faced serious allegations in the past. Observers believe they are among the main obstacles to any potential agreement or understanding between Iran’s political leadership and Washington.
Meanwhile, concerns about a possible confrontation have also emerged among US military circles and lawmakers.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy warned that war plans being developed in Washington could be extremely destructive and cause severe damage to civilian infrastructure if implemented.
Republican Senator Roger Marshall predicted that the situation could take a dangerous turn immediately after the elections, warning people against going anywhere near Iran.
Retired US General Jack Keane has argued that any future military operation should target not only Iran’s military leadership but also its nuclear programme, energy infrastructure, and drone and missile facilities.
According to the New York Post, defence analysts and former military officials have warned that any new US and Israeli military strike could trigger a severe Iranian response.
Former Israeli Major General Yaakov Amidror stressed that if Iran retaliated by targeting energy facilities in Gulf countries, Israel would have legal grounds to destroy Iran’s entire energy infrastructure, potentially setting the country back by decades.
Amid rising regional tensions, US and allied forces have reportedly completed their military preparations. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is also moving rapidly towards the Middle East to join the task forces of the USS George Washington and USS George W. Bush.
