A glimpse into the newly published book ”Target Tehran”
Target israel
How Israel is Using Sabotage, Cyberwarfare, Assassination and Secret Diplomacy to Stop a Nuclear Iran and Create a New Middle East?
Israel's historical fear of Iran
Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel at the time, appointed Meir Dagan as the head of Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, in 2002. Sharon believed that Israel needed more aggressive actions to counter the nuclear threat from Iran and wanted a leader for Mossad who would use the agency for operations, not just for gathering information.
While Ephraim Halevy, the former head of Mossad, had taken actions to counter Iran's nuclear program, Sharon saw him more as a diplomat than a leader focused on operations. Dagan's approach was characterized by his inclination for bold actions, and he was known for his statements about his expertise in "separating Arab heads from their bodies." Despite his tough exterior, Dagan was an intellectual who had interests in arts such as painting and music. His leadership style was described as assertive, making him a powerful figure in Israel's intelligence.
Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, instructed Mossad to infiltrate Iran's nuclear program while simultaneously strengthening its relations with Gulf Arab countries, which shared concerns about Iran. This effort began in the early 2000s and was facilitated by David Meidan.
Sharon's goal as Prime Minister of Israel was to enhance relations with Gulf Arab countries that shared concerns about Iran. Under the leadership of David Meidan, Mossad initiated secret contacts with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and others. The initial relations were between intelligence agencies, but direct channels were later established.
Trade and defense relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, including the supply of Israeli security equipment, were cautiously developed. In the 1980s and 1990s, unofficial relations between Mossad and Saudi Arabian intelligence agencies began.
Meir Dagan, the Mossad director, had personal channels for communicating with Arab leaders, especially King Abdullah II of Jordan. Israel and Jordan had close relations between their intelligence agencies. Gulf Arab countries preferred that someone else take specific actions to disrupt Iran's nuclear program, and Israel was willing to do so.
Meir Dagan pursued a policy of pressure on Iran to create conditions for regime change. Financial sanctions such as UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747 in 2006-2007 were part of this strategy. Dagan believed that these sanctions, by cutting off European trade and imposing costs on Iran, would harm the country.
American-Israeli intelligence cooperation
Trump and Netanyahu held their first official meeting in January 2017, where they discussed Iran as a top priority and emphasized the need for unparalleled intelligence sharing and coordinated operations against Iran between the United States and Israel.
Mike Pompeo, the Director of the CIA, and Yossi Cohen, the head of Mossad, established a close and personal professional relationship with strong cooperation between their agencies. They visited each other's agencies and established direct communication for operational collaboration. This relationship was so close that Pompeo participated in a secret farewell ceremony for Cohen upon his retirement from Mossad, even though Pompeo was no longer in the government at that time.
Intervention and Sabotage in Iran for Destabilization
Dagan supported student democracy movements and ethnic minorities in Iran, believing that Iran's economy was weakening and causing a crisis among its leadership. He doubted the existence of a moderate faction within Iran's leadership and believed that both hardliners and reformists sought Israel's destruction.
The Green Movement protests in Iran in 2009 created an opportunity for change but were not fully capitalized upon. Western intelligence agencies could not effectively exploit the vulnerable regime during the protests. Israel and Gulf Arab countries intensified their intelligence contacts due to the Iranian threat. Reports suggest that Saudi Arabia allowed Israeli jets to use its airspace for potential strikes on Iran. Opposition within the security establishments of Israel and the United States prevented immediate military action, at least temporarily.
Cohen was recruited by Mossad during his studies in England. His Jewish upbringing influenced his strong commitment to Israel and its security. He was considered an intelligent officer and was proficient in multiple languages. Under Cohen's leadership, Iran became Mossad's top priority. He secured a larger budget for the agency, primarily to acquire technology and development related to countering Iran's nuclear program. Cohen also focused on creating common ground with Saudi Arabia, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
The decision to target Iran's nuclear archive was made in January 2016, two years before the operation itself. Netanyahu and Cohen believed that gaining access to the nuclear archive would weaken the nuclear deal and provide grounds for resuming covert actions. The former head of Mossad, Tamir Pardo, was aware of the existence of these archives but did not know their location. Netanyahu's controversial speech in Congress further strained relations between Israel and the United States.
For this operation, Mossad decided to send Israeli commandos due to the high risk of arrest and execution in public. Mossad had established relationships with various Iranian opposition groups and minority ethnic groups, including the People's Mujahedin, a Marxist-Islamic group.
Despite months of surveillance, Mossad lacked critical information about the operational details and decided to infiltrate an Israeli agent into Tehran. A female Mossad officer with proficiency in Persian and an engineering degree was chosen for this mission, accompanied by a male partner to avoid suspicion. The agent visited the vicinity of the archive several times, collecting valuable information that allowed Mossad to proceed with the project.
The operation to steal Iran's nuclear archive was the result of over two years of planning and preparation, involving hundreds of Mossad personnel, including intelligence officers, cryptanalysts, hackers, linguists, and technology experts. The decision to execute this operation was made after Netanyahu informed President Trump during a meeting at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Natanz attack was a strategic move that occurred before negotiations to revive the nuclear deal. Mossad's actions, orchestrated by Cohen, aimed to target Iran's facilities, weaken Iran's negotiating position, and disrupt its nuclear program. However, despite Israel's sophisticated sabotage campaigns, Iran has consistently improved its nuclear facilities following these attacks.
Engagement with Regional Leaders and Efforts for 'Normalization'
Sunni Arab countries in the region, who saw Iran as a rival, welcomed Trump's strong positions on Iran.
Tamir Hayman, the head of Israeli military intelligence, emphasized the deep sectarian competition between Iran (Shi'a) and Sunni Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, which was perceived as even deeper than the rivalry between Israel and Iran.
The emergence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was also significant. He was accessible, energetic, and open to modernizing Saudi Arabia, including its relations with Israel. Cohen established a relationship with bin Salman, leading to secret meetings and discussions. Bin Salman's actions, such as the detention of hundreds of Saudi elites at the Ritz-Carlton hotel and the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, raised international concerns about cooperation with Saudi Arabia. In contrast, Israel continued its efforts to normalize relations with Gulf Arab countries, with the expectation that the UAE would be the first to do so, followed by Saudi Arabia.
The theft of Iran's nuclear archive in 2018 raised Israel's profile among Arabs in the Persian Gulf, especially with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Mohammad bin Zayed. Efforts were made to advance Israel's relations with the Gulf, including the "Deal of the Century" peace plan. However, the Palestinian issue remained an obstacle.
The Palestinian issue hindered progress, as the Palestinians rejected Trump's plan. Yossi Cohen had contacts with Gulf Arab leaders, including a meeting with Mohammad bin Zayed in the UAE. Mohammad bin Zayed emerged as a key figure, viewing Israel as a balance against Iran and an economic partner.
An agreement with Saudi Arabia, given its regional influence and religious importance, was vital for further developments. Bahrain, with its close ties to the United States, played a crucial role in pressuring for normalization with Israel. Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Foreign Minister, openly supported Israel's right to strike Iranian targets and indicated that Israel should "stay here" and that normalization could occur even without an Israel-Palestine agreement. Bahrain, especially due to its reliance on the US Fifth Fleet for security, sought to strengthen its security through relations with Israel. This cooperation also included facilitating Israeli military communication at the Fifth Fleet's headquarters.
Personal relationships between Israeli leaders and officials and Gulf Arab countries have become friendly. The countries cooperate in defense and Israel's annual arms sales have reached their highest levels, especially to the UAE and Bahrain.
The Abraham Accords for Advancing the
'Change' Project in the Middle East
In August 2020, the United Arab Emirates and Israel reached a preliminary agreement to normalize their relations. The negotiations were centered around a joint statement and were named the Abraham Accords to reflect their significance for Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. These agreements included various aspects of cooperation, signaling a historic shift in Israel's relations with the Arab world. Simultaneously, the United States approved the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, indirectly impacting Israel's support for normalization.
The Abraham Accords marked the culmination of decades of efforts by Mossad, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and others. They aimed to reshape the balance of power in the region by bringing Israel into full-fledged relations with Arab countries.
The agreements required the cooperation of several sensitive national leaders, including Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman, the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, and U.S. President Trump. Each of them could have derailed the agreements. Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, played a behind-the-scenes role in building trust and relationships with Gulf countries, especially with bin Salman and bin Zayed, which ultimately helped in the success of these efforts.
The agreement with Sudan faced challenges due to political developments in the country. Normalization with Sudan was symbolically significant as it marked a departure from a policy established after the 1967 Six-Day War. Despite challenges, efforts were made to maintain peaceful relations and keep the doors open for further normalization, especially with Sudan.
The Abraham Accords, signed between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain in September 2020, strengthened unprecedented cooperation. Israel immediately began selling advanced military equipment to the UAE and Bahrain after signing the agreement. The focus was on cooperation and coordination in missile defense systems between Israel and Gulf countries. Personal relationships formed during secret negotiations became visible and friendly. The annual sale of Israeli weaponry, especially to the UAE and Bahrain, reached its peak.
Mohammed bin Salman may consider normalization with Israel in the future, but it depends on various factors. Recent developments, such as the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, can influence the pace of normalization. There are debates and controversies within Israel regarding judicial reforms and their impact on foreign relations. The role of Saudi Arabia in potentially expanding the Abraham Accords to other Muslim countries is crucial. While Saudi Arabia is not part of the agreement, it has played an important role in supporting the normalization process. However, complete normalization with Saudi Arabia may depend on various factors, including the situation in Palestine.
The agreements signed between Israel and Gulf countries have initiated a new era of unofficial military cooperation and alliances among former adversaries. The sale of advanced military hardware by Israel to the UAE and Bahrain, along with discussions on missile defense cooperation, is conclude of these agreements.
From Israeli Terrorism to
Pressuring the IAEA
Two and a half years after gaining access to Iran's nuclear archive, Israel achieved a significant goal when the United States withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and forced the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate Iran. This led to a change in the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency from Yukiya Amano to Rafael Grossi, resulting in a more active stance against Iran. Grossi pressed Iran for transparency in its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment and nuclear efforts under pressure. He publicly acknowledged Mossad's claims about Iran's hidden uranium enrichment facilities, causing concern. Israel was pleased with Grossi's tough approach and condemnation of Iran. Israel refrained from direct action, even though International Atomic Energy Agency member states and the JCPOA believed Iran was in compliance.
The assassination of Fakhrizadeh was a complex operation. It involved a remote-controlled machine gun hidden in a disguised van, which had been secretly assembled in Iran over eight months by a team of operatives closely monitoring Fakhrizadeh's movements. The weapon was associated with facial recognition technology, ensuring that the scientist was the target and not someone else.
Yossi Cohen, the head of Mossad, couldn't publicly declare his role in Fakhrizadeh's assassination, but he was confident that Israel was safer after removing both Soleimani and Fakhrizadeh, who were perceived as threats, reduced concerns about threats against Israel.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
YONAH JEREMY BOB is the senior military and intelligence analyst as well as the book review editor for The Jerusalem Post. Hailing originally from Baltimore, Maryland, Bob has close connections with many Israeli intelligence 1gures and previously worked in the Israeli military international law division at the Israeli Embassy to the UN and in the Israeli Justice Ministry. He is the author of Justice in the West Bank? and the editor and translator of A Raid on the Red Sea, an intelligence thriller whose principal author, Amos Gilboa, is a former IDF deputy chief of intelligence.
ILAN EVYATAR is a former editor-in-chief of the award-winning magazine The Jerusalem Report and a former news director, columnist, and senior contributor at The Jerusalem Post. He has edited and translated several books and has worked as a speechwriter and ghostwriter. Born in Israel and raised in London, England, he has interviewed a wide variety of top intelligence officials, as well as leading political, business, and cultural personalities.