Iran Claims Acquisition of Israeli Intelligence to Boost Offensive Capabilities
Iranian Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib announces the upcoming release of sensitive documents linked to Israeli nuclear plans.
Iran's Minister of Intelligence, Ismail Khatib, has declared that Iran will soon release what he describes as a "treasure trove of strategic information" obtained from Israel, asserting it will enhance the country's offensive capabilities.
Khatib emphasized the need to maintain secrecy regarding the methods used to secure this information, which, according to Iranian state media, includes sensitive documents related to Israel's nuclear plans and facilities.
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program, with Western powers preparing to push a resolution at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calling for a reprimand of Iran due to its reduced cooperation with inspectors and expansion of uranium enrichment close to military thresholds.
This situation persists alongside ongoing investigations into Iran's undisclosed nuclear sites.
Khatib described the intelligence operation as a significant event, stating that the volume of documents seized exceeds thousands.
He mentioned that the acquired intelligence not only relates to nuclear activities but also contains insights into Israel's relationships with the United States, Europe, and other countries, further alleging that these documents would bolster Iran's offensive capabilities.
While he did not elaborate on the transfer methods used to bring the documents into Iran, Khatib asserted the critical importance of these methods, indicating they would remain undisclosed for security reasons.
The Ministry of Intelligence’s statement outlined a comprehensive plan characterized as complex and multifaceted, involving infiltration, recruitment of sources, and a broadening of intelligence assets, culminating in the purported success of obtaining the cache of documents.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV noted that while the acquisition occurred some time ago, the substantial volume of material necessitated a media blackout to ensure secure transport to designated locations in Iran.
The report detailed that the extensive nature of the materials led to significant time being spent on analysis, including reviewing images and videos.
In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israeli agents had seized a considerable archive of documents from Iran, asserting that they revealed previously unknown aspects of Iran's nuclear activities.
The Israeli establishment has been vocal about its concerns regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, often citing the nation as a threat to regional stability.
Alongside this intelligence coup announcement, Iran has reacted critically to a recent report by the IAEA's Director General, Rafael Grossi, accusing Israel of sabotage and contamination at various secret sites within Iran.
In correspondence to the IAEA, Iranian authorities asserted that there is no ambiguity surrounding Tehran’s current nuclear activities and defended their compliance with the treaty obligations concerning their nuclear program.
They claimed that all nuclear materials and activities had been fully reported to the IAEA and verified, dismissing allegations based on information provided by adversarial entities as questionable.
Furthermore, the Iranian message highlighted claims of previous agreements with the IAEA and noted that Israel, as a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, possesses weapons of mass destruction, thereby raising questions about its accountability in the regional context.
Tensions have been further complicated by international dynamics; while the U.S. has maintained a hardline stance, insisting on a complete cessation of uranium enrichment in negotiations, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei articulated that halting enrichment contradicts national interests.
Newsletter
Related Articles