Israel's elite intelligence agency, Mossad, orchestrated an elaborate assassination plot targeting Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh during his stay in Tehran, according to a report by The Telegraph. The operation involved recruiting Iranian security agents to plant explosives in a building where Haniyeh was residing, demonstrating the lengths Mossad is willing to go in its covert missions.
Initial Plan and Modification
Initially, the plan was to eliminate Haniyeh in May during his visit to Tehran for the funeral of former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. However, the operation was called off due to the overwhelming crowds, which increased the risk of failure. The plan was then revised. Two agents, under Mossad's direction, placed explosive devices in three separate rooms of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) guesthouse in northern Tehran. This location was strategically chosen for its likelihood of hosting Haniyeh.
Mossad's Vast Espionage Network
With a $3 billion annual budget and a 7,000-strong staff, Mossad is the second-largest espionage agency in the West after the CIA. While much of its internal structure remains shrouded in secrecy, Mossad boasts a network of informants and agents inside Palestinian militant groups and hostile countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. This extensive spy network provides Mossad with detailed information on militant leaders' movements, allowing for precise assassinations when necessary.
The Special Operations Division, known as Metsada, is responsible for carrying out highly sensitive assassinations, sabotage, paramilitary, and psychological warfare operations. Surveillance footage obtained by Iranian officials shows the agents moving stealthily, entering and exiting multiple rooms within minutes. After planting the devices, they left Iran undetected but continued to maintain a source within the country.
Execution and Aftermath
In the early hours of Wednesday at 2 am, the operatives remotely detonated the explosives in the room where Haniyeh was staying. The explosion resulted in Haniyeh's death while he was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. Officials within the IRGC confirmed the assassination, suspecting that Mossad employed agents from the Ansar-al-Mahdi protection unit, responsible for safeguarding high-ranking officials inside and outside the country.
"This is a humiliation for Iran and a huge security breach," an IRGC official told The Telegraph. In response, a special working group has been established to devise strategies to mitigate the perception of this breach. The IRGC is also considering retaliation options, including a direct strike on Tel Aviv, potentially involving Hezbollah and other Iranian proxies.
Regional Implications
Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has sought to expand its influence across the Middle East through proxy groups. The Quds Force, one of the five branches of the IRGC specializing in intelligence and covert operations, serves as the main point of contact for these groups, providing them with weapons and training to solidify Iran's regional agenda.
The timing of the assassination, coinciding with President Pezeshkian's first day in office, has raised suspicions about its intentionality. During his campaign, President Pezeshkian pledged to move away from the Islamic Republic's provocative policies and restore Iran's standing through dialogue. A seasoned lawmaker and cardiac surgeon, Pezeshkian's election is seen as a call for change, following widespread dissatisfaction with the hardline policies of his predecessors. However, the dynamics of Iranian politics, where hardliners still control the majority and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei retains ultimate authority, will challenge Pezeshkian's ability to implement his vision.
The Mossad assassination plot reveals the complex and high-stakes nature of espionage and political maneuvering in the Middle East. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions and the intricate web of operations conducted by intelligence agencies in the region.
Tags:
Global News