Attack on Iranian Nuclear Physicists: What Traces Lead to Israel

Iran immediately accused US and Israeli “local mercenaries” – officially it is still unclear who is behind the death of Iranian nuclear physicist Fachrisadeh. However, the theories are circulating and there are clues.

By Benjamin Hammer, ARD Studio Tel Aviv

Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman has been dealing with murders by Israeli Mossad intelligence for years. It cannot openly say that Israel is behind the attack on nuclear scientist Mohsen Fachrisadeh. Although he knew for sure. Bergman is also subject to Israeli military censorship. But the Israeli knows how incredibly complicated it is to plan and carry out such an attack.

“As an Israeli I don’t want to sound too patriotic. But I think currently only an intelligence organization can even begin to realize what we saw on Friday. The Israeli Mossad has achieved unprecedented capabilities to penetrate Iran, obtain information and operate.”

Bergman is the co-author of several articles that appeared in the New York Times in recent days. He says Israel was behind the attack. The newspaper cites intelligence circles. It has been standard practice for decades after such incidents that Israel neither confirms nor denies its role. The fact that the country is shifting even more to the center of attention is linked to the statements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu: “Remember that name, Fachrisadeh”

A year and a half ago, he presented documents on the Iranian nuclear program that the Mossad had stolen. Netanyahu accused Iran of lying about its ambitions and moves to obtain nuclear weapons. At the time, Netanyahu attributed a central role to the now slain Iranian physicist. “Remember that name, Fachrisadeh,” Netanyahu said at the time.

Almost simultaneously with the first news of the attack on Friday, Netanyahu finally reported with a video on Facebook and Twitter: “I would like to read you a list of things I did this week. The list is approximate because I am not allowed. “

Netanyahu smiled. And even if he didn’t say anything, he was going too far. Here’s how former army general Amos Gilad sees it on Israeli TV channel 12:

“Such clues have consequences. If there are too many clues, regardless of whether there is something behind it or not, then these clues give the Iranians justification to blame us for them.”

This in turn, it is feared, could increase the likelihood of an Iranian retaliatory strike. Several intelligence experts in Israel believe Fachrisadeh’s death will be a major blow to Iran’s nuclear program. However, admit that a US government under Joe Biden would not have valued the action positively. Biden plans to restart the US on the nuclear deal with Iran. Maybe after adjusting the conditions.

What role does the USA play?

Under US President Donald Trump, the US left the deal. Netanyahu also firmly rejects the deal with Iran in its current form. So should the facts still be created quickly? Amos Yadlin, the former head of Israeli military intelligence, spoke about it on TV channel 12.

“Whoever made the decision to commit the assassination knew very well that they had 55 days left in a US government that views Iranians as we do, which is a very serious threat.”

Yadlin suggests another link: It is possible that the “decision makers” of the assassination attempt of an Iranian counterattack are not uncomfortable. “This is exactly what would allow Trump to do what he attempted two weeks ago, which is to get the green light from his national security advisors to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities.”

Is Trump actually planning another attack? Should it be harder for Joe Biden to get closer to Iran by mid-January? Possible. But currently only speculation in the case of the killing of the Iranian physicist. Israeli reporter Ronen Bergman says: If Israel is behind the murder, it can be assumed that there was a preliminary agreement with the US government.