Israel’s Ongoing Campaign Against Iran: Assassinations, Cyberattacks, and Sabotage

For years, Israel and Iran have been locked in a shadowy and complex conflict marked by covert operations, targeted killings, and cyberattacks. This rivalry, often dubbed Israel VS Iran, is fueled by competing interests in the Middle East and deep-seated political and ideological divides. While Israel has aimed to disrupt Iran’s influence across the region and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Iran has sought to strengthen its military and regional power. In this article, we’ll explore the history and strategies that have characterized the Israel VS Iran conflict, with a closer look at the significant events and tactics employed by Israel.

Targeting Iran’s Revolutionary Guard: A Key Focus in the Israel VS Iran Conflict

Israel VS Iran

One of Israel’s primary targets in this ongoing conflict has been Iran’s elite military force, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Established in 1979, the IRGC holds significant power in Iran and has become a formidable force in the Middle East. This elite unit is responsible for protecting Iran’s Islamic regime and extending its influence through political, military, and economic channels, including support for groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Israel has often been blamed or credited for attacks aimed at disrupting the IRGC’s influence, even when these operations took place outside of Iran’s borders.

Recent High-Profile Attacks

In recent years, the Israel VS Iran conflict has seen a series of high-profile attacks targeting prominent members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. For instance, on September 27, 2024, an Israeli airstrike in Beirut killed a senior IRGC general, who was believed to be working closely with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. This attack took place in a highly guarded area, underlining Israel’s capabilities and determination to strike against Iran’s allies and assets wherever they may be.

Another attack in April 2024 targeted an Iranian consular annex building in Damascus, Syria. According to Tehran, this Israeli strike killed seven members of the Revolutionary Guards, including two high-ranking officials. These operations represent Israel’s ongoing campaign to counter Iran’s influence in countries like Syria and Lebanon, where Iran has established a strong presence.

Previous IRGC Assassinations

These recent incidents are part of a long pattern in the Israel VS Iran conflict, with numerous other IRGC members being targeted over the years. In May 2022, for instance, Sayyad Khodaei, a member of the Quds Force (the IRGC’s unit responsible for external operations), was assassinated in Tehran by two motorcyclists. This brazen attack carried out in the heart of Iran, is a testament to Israel’s extensive intelligence and operational reach. According to reports, Israel later informed the United States that it was responsible for the hit job, showing the level of coordination between Israel and its allies.

An even earlier incident, in November 2011, saw General Hassan Moghadam, who was involved in Iran’s arms program, killed in an explosion at a munitions depot near Tehran. This explosion was widely attributed to a covert operation by the United States and Israel, underlining their joint stance against Iran’s military activities. Such incidents have become common in the Israel VS Iran conflict, as Israel has continued to take drastic measures to curtail the IRGC’s influence.

Israel’s Targeted Campaign Against Iran’s Nuclear Program

A critical element in the Israel VS Iran conflict revolves around Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel has voiced its concerns that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat, given the longstanding animosity between the two countries. As a result, Israel has used both direct and indirect methods to halt Iran’s progress toward acquiring nuclear capabilities.

Assassinations of Nuclear Scientists

One of the most shocking aspects of the Israel VS Iran standoff has been the targeted killings of Iranian nuclear scientists, often carried out in high-profile and public ways. Israel has been accused of being responsible for these assassinations as part of its broader effort to undermine Iran’s nuclear program.

In November 2020, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a leading nuclear scientist who was considered the father of Iran’s nuclear program, was assassinated in a sophisticated operation reportedly orchestrated by Israel. Fakhrizadeh’s death dealt a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear program and was seen as a critical moment in the conflict. Israel’s involvement, while not officially acknowledged, was widely suspected and served as a powerful reminder of Israel’s commitment to halting Iran’s nuclear advancements.

Other Iranian scientists who have lost their lives include Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan, who was working at the Natanz nuclear site, and Majid Shahriari, a prominent member of Iran’s atomic society. These assassinations have severely impacted Iran’s nuclear progress and have intensified the Israel VS Iran rivalry.

Sabotage of Nuclear Facilities

Israel has also been accused of carrying out acts of sabotage against Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the Natanz uranium enrichment complex being a primary target. In April 2021, an explosion at the Natanz site caused significant damage to Iran’s uranium enrichment operations. According to reports, this attack was orchestrated by Israel to disrupt Iran’s progress in enriching uranium, a critical step in developing nuclear weapons. This incident followed a previous “accident” in July 2020, which was similarly linked to sabotage efforts by Israel.

In another instance, the Stuxnet cyberattack, which took place in 2010, was a groundbreaking operation attributed to Israel and the United States. The Stuxnet virus was designed to target and disable centrifuges at the Natanz facility, causing massive setbacks to Iran’s nuclear program. This cyberattack was one of the first known uses of a digital weapon to achieve strategic military goals. It marked a turning point in the Israel VS Iran conflict, showcasing the potential of cyber warfare in modern conflicts.

Attacks on Iran’s Allies: Extending the Israel VS Iran Conflict

In addition to direct attacks on Iranian targets, Israel has also targeted Iran’s allies across the Middle East. These strikes are seen as part of Israel’s broader strategy to weaken Iran’s influence throughout the region.

High-Profile Attacks on Iranian Allies

In July 2021, Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent political leader of Hamas, was killed in an attack in Tehran. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend an inauguration ceremony, and his assassination was quickly attributed to Israeli intelligence. This event underscored how deeply the Israel VS Iran conflict has spread beyond Iran’s borders, affecting its allies and affiliated organizations.

Iran’s support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah has made these groups targets in the ongoing conflict. Israel views Iran’s backing of these organizations as a significant threat to its national security and has thus taken steps to disrupt their leadership structures.

Maritime Sabotage Operations

Another critical dimension of the Israel VS Iran conflict has played out in the waters of the Middle East. In March 2021, it was reported that Israel had targeted at least a dozen Iranian ships transporting oil to Syria. Israel allegedly used underwater mines to damage these vessels, aiming to disrupt the transport of Iranian fuel, which was financially supporting the Syrian regime. This maritime dimension of the Israel VS Iran rivalry has led to mutual accusations of sabotage, with both countries blaming each other for various incidents at sea throughout 2021.

Conclusion: A High-Stakes Conflict with Global Implications

The Israel VS Iran conflict continues to evolve, with each side employing new tactics to gain an advantage. From the targeting of the Revolutionary Guard to assassinations of nuclear scientists and high-stakes cyberattacks, Israel has made it clear that it will go to great lengths to contain Iran’s influence and prevent it from becoming a nuclear power.

For anyone following global security and Middle Eastern affairs, the Israel VS Iran conflict provides a complex and ongoing example of modern warfare’s reach, from traditional battlefield operations to advanced cyber operations and covert assassinations. With no resolution in sight, this struggle is likely to continue shaping the political and military landscape of the region for years to come.

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