The murder of IRGC Colonel Khodaei: why the CIA framed Mossad
Immediately after the assassination of IRGC Colonel Hassan Sayad Khodaei in Tehran, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi without directly mentioning either the United States or Israel, called for "a thorough investigation”. But why insist on the inevitable?
This is due to the fact that Raisi saw elements of an internal political struggle in the terrorist attack, and there were reasons for this. Khodaei’s murder took place in the midst of unpopular reforms among the people, which Iranians are ready to meet with protests. Thus, on May 17, demonstrations against price increases were held in many cities of the country.
In addition, a targeted indication of the involvement of a foreign intelligence service in the murder of an IRGC colonel would demonstrate its serious operational capabilities in Iran and the failure of local counterintelligence, unable to protect even its high-ranking citizens.
But the whole thing was spoiled by the Americans. The New York Times, citing American intelligence, organised a leak. It turns out that the Israeli intelligence services have notified their colleagues in the United States that they are behind the murder of Khodaei.
Only then did Iran blame Israel for the incident, promising to respond. After that, a scandal broke out between the Israeli and US intelligence services: Tel Aviv was enraged by the leak and called on the Americans to conduct an internal investigation.
Why did Washington frame its closest ally in the Middle East? This is due to some plots of behind-the-scenes bargaining in Vienna on the Iranian nuclear program. It seems that despite all the difficulties of the negotiations, the United States ceases to support Israel's course to eliminate high-ranking IRGC officials. The CIA calls this action "erroneous", and the activities of Mossad are assessed as ones that maximally complicate dialogue between Washington and Tehran.
As a result, the Americans decided to frame Mossad, striking at the same time at the government of Naftali Bennett. Now everything is going to complicate the situation in the region. Iran—Syria—Hezbollah activity is expected, which, however, has nothing to do with the Iranian nuclear program.
And yet, despite aggressive statements, noisy headlines and reports that Israel is conducting unprecedented exercises in order to prepare an attack on Iran, these two countries are no closer to war today than at any other stage in recent years.
Elena Panina, Director of the RUSSTRAT Institute