Tehran – In a significant development amid rising Middle East tensions, senior Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei revealed that Israel attempted to destabilize Iran by targeting top Iranian military commanders, but the plot was successfully foiled by Iranian intelligence and security forces. The revelation comes at a time when Iran-Israel hostilities are intensifying, with both nations blaming each other for covert operations, drone attacks, and cyber warfare.
According to Mohsen Rezaei, a former IRGC commander and Vice President for Economic Affairs, Israel’s plan was to plunge Iran into internal unrest, similar to what has happened in Syria over the last decade. However, Rezaei emphasized that Iranian agencies responded in time, thwarting the conspiracy and bolstering national defense in the process.
A Foiled Israeli Plot: Targeting Iran’s Military Leadership
Attempt to Spark Internal Chaos
Speaking to local media, Rezaei claimed that Israeli intelligence services aimed to eliminate key Iranian military leaders through targeted assassinations, thereby sparking a power vacuum and public disorder. He said the plan was designed to replicate the Syrian crisis, where foreign-backed interventions led to civil war, terrorism, and regional instability.
According to Iranian sources, Israel’s objective was to provoke unrest, weaken Iran’s security infrastructure, and destabilize the country from within. But Iranian security and counterintelligence services managed to preempt the operation, preventing what could have been a national catastrophe.
“Turning Iran into Syria”: The Geopolitical Implications
Rezaei noted that Israel’s larger ambition was to turn Iran into another Syria—a country ravaged by foreign interference, sectarian conflict, and prolonged instability. “This was not just a physical or tactical attack,” said Rezaei. “It was a strategic operation designed to damage Iran’s sovereignty and regional influence.“
Iran’s Intelligence Services Step Up
Preventive Measures and Surveillance
In response to the threat, Iranian security and intelligence agencies heightened their counter-surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations across the country. These proactive efforts enabled the identification and neutralization of foreign agents and domestic collaborators allegedly working to execute Israel’s plan.
Iran’s intelligence community is known for its tight internal surveillance and control systems, which have previously foiled cyber-attacks, assassination attempts, and sabotage efforts. The successful prevention of this Israeli plot reaffirms their capability to detect and disrupt foreign operations on Iranian soil.
Iran’s Warning to the United States: “Step Aside”
Deputy Foreign Minister’s Statement Adds to Diplomatic Tensions
Following the revelations, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister issued a strong warning to the United States, advising Washington to either restrain Israel or stay out of the way. He warned that continued Israeli aggression would provoke a serious military response from Iran, which has “all necessary options on the table.”
This statement reflects Iran’s belief that U.S. backing emboldens Israel, giving it the political cover to launch aggressive operations. The Deputy Minister’s comments also reinforce Tehran’s stance that Iran is capable of defending its territorial integrity and retaliating against threats decisively.
Rising Iran-Israel Tensions: A Complex Geopolitical Rivalry
A Longstanding Regional Conflict
The hostility between Iran and Israel is rooted in ideological, strategic, and political differences, which have made them arch-rivals in the Middle East for decades. While Israel accuses Iran of supporting terrorist groups and pursuing nuclear weapons, Iran condemns Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its ties with Arab monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In recent years, this rivalry has escalated beyond diplomatic war-of-words to include:
- Cyber-attacks (e.g., the Stuxnet virus targeting Iran’s nuclear program)
- Targeted assassinations (e.g., the killing of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh)
- Covert military strikes in Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon
- Drone warfare and retaliatory rocket attacks across borders
Iran’s Regional Influence
Israel views Iran as the primary obstacle to its long-term regional strategy. Tehran’s support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, militias in Iraq, and Houthis in Yemen, as well as its influence in Syria, is seen as part of a broader effort to surround and threaten Israel. As a result, Israel has adopted a preemptive security doctrine, including intelligence operations and direct military action.
Iran’s Preparedness and Deterrent Capability
Military Readiness
Iranian officials have consistently asserted that the country is militarily prepared to respond to any aggression. Iran possesses a wide range of ballistic missiles, drones, cyber units, and paramilitary forces such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), giving it the capability to strike Israeli targets directly or through proxies.
Rezaei’s comments suggest that Iran is not only defensive but also proactively countering threats. He stated that the recent developments have allowed Iran to “further strengthen its defensive posture in the region.”
National Resilience and Strategic Depth
Iran’s strategic depth also lies in its regional alliances, and its people’s resistance culture, shaped by decades of sanctions, war, and isolation. This resilience acts as a deterrent against regime change or foreign invasions.
International Reactions and Regional Implications
Concern Among Arab States and Western Powers
The recent developments have alarmed neighboring Arab states and Western powers, who fear that an all-out confrontation between Israel and Iran could:
- Destabilize oil markets
- Trigger refugee crises
- Provoke proxy wars across the region
- Involve major powers like the U.S., Russia, and China
The European Union, Russia, and the United Nations have urged both countries to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic engagement. However, backchannel diplomacy between Iran and the U.S. remains stalled amid ongoing sanctions and the collapse of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA).
Iran’s Message to the World: “We Are Fully Aware and Ready”
Strategic Clarity
Mohsen Rezaei’s statement is more than a security update—it is a strategic message. It underscores Iran’s awareness of the threats it faces and its preparedness to respond. His words aim to dissuade adversaries from miscalculating Iran’s capabilities or underestimating its intelligence apparatus.
Confidence in the Face of Pressure
Iran has repeatedly shown that it is not easily pushed into conflict. Whether under international sanctions, cyberattacks, or regional isolation, the Islamic Republic has maintained a policy of calibrated resistance, combining military deterrence with strategic patience.
Conclusion: A Setback for Israel, a Warning for Its Allies
The failure of Israel’s plan to destabilize Iran represents a major strategic setback for Tel Aviv and sends a strong warning to those who may support or facilitate such efforts in the future. Iran’s intelligence community has once again demonstrated its ability to safeguard national security and expose foreign plots before they materialize.
In the broader context, this incident highlights the volatile nature of Iran-Israel relations and the growing risk of miscalculation in an already turbulent Middle East. As tensions rise, the international community must intensify efforts to promote diplomacy, avoid escalation, and prevent a regional war that could have devastating global consequences.
