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Iran issues public spy warning

Iran Issues Stark Spy Warning Amid Escalating Tensions with Israel: IRGC Accuses Mossad of Deep Infiltration

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric amid ongoing regional conflicts, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a chilling warning about espionage activities allegedly orchestrated by Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. High-ranking Iranian officials claim that Israeli spies have penetrated deep into the country's security apparatus, posing a severe threat to national security. This development comes against the backdrop of heightened hostilities between Iran and Israel, fueled by proxy wars, cyber attacks, and assassinations that have defined their shadowy rivalry for years.

The warning was delivered by IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami during a recent address to military personnel in Tehran. Salami emphasized the need for vigilance, stating that "the Zionist regime's intelligence services, particularly Mossad, have been actively recruiting agents within our ranks." He accused these operatives of gathering sensitive information on Iran's nuclear program, missile capabilities, and military installations. According to Salami, the infiltration efforts are part of a broader strategy by Israel to undermine Iran's influence in the Middle East, including its support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias in Syria and Iraq.

This is not the first time Iran has leveled such accusations against Israel. The two nations have been engaged in a covert war for decades, with Iran frequently blaming Mossad for high-profile assassinations of its nuclear scientists and sabotage of key facilities. For instance, the 2020 killing of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, often dubbed the "father of Iran's nuclear program," was widely attributed to Israeli operatives. Similarly, mysterious explosions at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site in recent years have been linked to cyber operations believed to be carried out by Israel, possibly in collaboration with the United States.

The latest warning highlights specific concerns about the IRGC itself, Iran's elite military force that operates parallel to the regular army and is responsible for safeguarding the Islamic Republic's revolutionary ideals. The IRGC, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and several other countries, plays a pivotal role in Iran's foreign policy, including its ballistic missile program and regional proxy networks. Salami warned that Mossad's recruitment tactics involve sophisticated methods, such as financial incentives, ideological manipulation, and even blackmail. "Our enemies are exploiting weaknesses, offering vast sums of money or promises of asylum to those who betray their nation," he said, urging IRGC members to report any suspicious activities immediately.

Iranian state media has amplified these claims, broadcasting reports that detail alleged spy rings dismantled by Iranian counterintelligence. One such report from the semi-official Fars News Agency described the arrest of several individuals accused of passing classified information to Mossad handlers. These suspects, reportedly including former military personnel and civilians with access to sensitive data, were said to have used encrypted communication channels and dead drops to evade detection. The arrests underscore Iran's aggressive counter-espionage efforts, which have intensified since the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal and the subsequent imposition of crippling sanctions.

Experts in international security view this warning as part of a larger pattern of psychological warfare between Iran and Israel. Dr. Emily Landau, a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, told Newsweek that while Iran often exaggerates threats for domestic propaganda, there is undeniable evidence of Mossad's effectiveness in penetrating Iranian networks. "Mossad has a long history of successful operations inside Iran, from the Stuxnet virus that disrupted nuclear centrifuges to targeted killings," Landau explained. "Iran's warnings serve to rally internal support and justify purges within their own ranks."

On the Iranian side, analysts suggest that the IRGC's alert may also be a preemptive measure to deter potential defectors amid economic hardships. Iran's economy has been battered by sanctions, inflation, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, creating fertile ground for foreign intelligence recruitment. "When people are desperate, they become vulnerable," said Reza Nasri, an Iranian international affairs commentator based in Geneva. "The regime is aware of this and is using these warnings to instill fear and loyalty."

The broader context of Iran-Israel tensions cannot be overstated. Israel views Iran's nuclear ambitions as an existential threat, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly vowing to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran, in turn, denies pursuing nuclear arms and accuses Israel of hypocrisy, given its own undeclared nuclear arsenal. The rivalry has spilled over into multiple arenas: in Syria, where Israeli airstrikes target Iranian-linked positions; in cyberspace, with mutual hacking attempts; and through proxy forces in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Recent events have further inflamed the situation. The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks, has drawn in Iranian-backed groups, leading to cross-border skirmishes. Iran has been accused of supplying weapons and training to Hamas and Hezbollah, while Israel has conducted operations to disrupt these supply lines. In April 2024, Iran launched a direct missile and drone attack on Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, marking a significant escalation from the usual shadow boxing.

The IRGC's spy warning also coincides with reports of internal purges within Iran's security forces. Anonymous sources within the Iranian military have leaked information suggesting that several high-ranking officers have been detained on suspicion of espionage. These purges, while aimed at rooting out traitors, risk creating paranoia and inefficiency within the IRGC, potentially weakening its operational capabilities.

From Israel's perspective, espionage against Iran is a matter of survival. Mossad, renowned for its daring operations—like the 1976 Entebbe raid and the more recent theft of Iran's nuclear archives in 2018—operates with a mandate to neutralize threats before they materialize. Israeli officials rarely comment on specific operations, adhering to a policy of ambiguity, but Netanyahu has publicly boasted about Israel's intelligence prowess in thwarting Iranian plots.

The international community watches these developments with concern, as any miscalculation could lead to a wider conflict. The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has provided intelligence support in the past, while also engaging in indirect talks with Iran to revive the nuclear deal. European nations, meanwhile, have expressed alarm over Iran's uranium enrichment levels, which are approaching weapons-grade purity according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

In response to the IRGC's warning, Iranian authorities have ramped up security measures, including enhanced surveillance of communication networks and mandatory loyalty oaths for key personnel. Public awareness campaigns have been launched, with billboards and television spots urging citizens to "remain vigilant against Zionist spies." These efforts reflect the regime's paranoia but also its determination to project strength.

Critics within Iran, however, argue that such warnings distract from domestic issues like corruption and economic mismanagement. Opposition figures, speaking from exile, claim that the regime uses the specter of foreign spies to suppress dissent and justify crackdowns on protesters. The 2022-2023 nationwide protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, highlighted deep-seated grievances against the IRGC's role in internal repression.

As the espionage accusations fly, the cycle of retaliation continues. Just last month, Israel reported thwarting an Iranian plot to assassinate a former defense minister, attributing it to IRGC operatives. Iran denied involvement, calling it Israeli propaganda. This tit-for-tat dynamic ensures that the shadow war remains a constant undercurrent in Middle Eastern geopolitics.

In conclusion, the IRGC's spy warning underscores the precarious balance of power between Iran and Israel. With Mossad's reputed infiltration capabilities and Iran's robust counterintelligence, the stakes are higher than ever. As both sides brace for potential confrontations, the world holds its breath, hoping that espionage doesn't ignite an all-out war. The coming months will likely see more accusations, arrests, and covert operations, as this enduring rivalry shows no signs of abating. (Word count: 1,128)

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[ https://www.newsweek.com/iran-spy-warning-irgc-israel-mossad-espionage-2102890 ]