After Israel’s Security Agency, known as Shin Bet, revealed an “Iranian plot” to assassinate former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, military sources in Tel Aviv indicated that Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot has appointed Maj.-Gen. Nitzan Alon as the first director of a special Israeli project to coordinate all issues related to confronting Iran.
Sources explained that Alon, who recently left his role as head of the military’s Operations Directorate, accompanied Eisenkot on his recent trip to the United States and participated in meetings with US military leaders, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Joseph Dunford.
Military experts pointed out that this is the first time the Israeli army has appointed a project director for Iran issues, who will deal with Iran’s nuclear program, coordinating intelligence gathering with other countries and countering Iran’s presence in Syria.
In the past, Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad was responsible for the “Iran file” under prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert. Yet, since the war between Iran and Israel has come into the open, the appointment of a “special project head” underscores the overwhelming importance Israel sees for these developments.
As per his part, Alon will also be responsible for coordination between the Israeli and US security establishments, knowing that both countries are in constant coordination regarding the Iranian file.
Both US and Israel haven’t concealed their interest in changing the regime in Tehran.
Based on Israeli reports, US pressures on Iran, especially the enforcement of additional sanctions, are having an unexpectedly significant impact. Part of this can be seen in the growing protests in large Iranian cities in the face of the worsening economic situation and critical water shortage.
Alon was head of the Operations Directorate, and security sources estimate that he can be credited for what is called the “Israeli growing successes” on everything related to Israel’s “war between the wars” against Iran, Hezbollah and Shiite militias. He was also charged with maintaining the connection between the Israeli army, Military Intelligence and the Mossad and he reports directly to the chief of staff.
In other news, head of Shin Bet domestic security service Nadav Argaman met last week former prime minister Ehud Barak to discuss the latter’s personal safety, amid reported concerns of Iran seeking to attempt to target him and other prominent Israelis traveling abroad.
The unusual meeting which was only attended by Barak and Argaman took place at short notice. They discussed the safety and security of Barak who frequently travels abroad and does not have bodyguards assigned to him. He sometimes carries a sidearm. Both Barak and the Shin Bet refused to comment on the matter.
Security reports have stated that Iran is planning to attack what it described as “Israeli targets” outside Israel in revenge after the T-4 army base in Syria was struck in an air raid killing at Iranian members. Security agencies indicate that Iran might target former Israeli military and political leaders who travel as businessmen.
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