After the death of soldiers: Israel fears Iran’s revenge

In Iran, a colonel of the Revolutionary Guards was shot dead, the perpetrators were able to flee. Tehran suspects that Israel is behind the attack. Israel has not commented on this – and now fears retaliation.

Thousands of mourners attended Sayad Khodayee’s funeral last week. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Colonel had been shot dead shortly before. According to media reports, the perpetrators came on motorcycles and killed the Iranian with a total of five bullets. “Death to Israel” was chanted by some at the funeral, according to media reports.

“We want nothing but revenge,” said one woman, according to AP footage. “Definitely harsh retribution. The blood must not have been spilled in vain. Our opponents must know that we are loyal to our martyrs and that their blood is precious.”

Iran blames Israel

The Iranian government has already announced that it will take revenge on the colonel’s killing. Iran blames Israel for the crime. But the government in Jerusalem says: No comment. It is customary for Israel to neither confirm nor deny its possible role. This allows the country to send messages of strength without being too directly blamed by opponents. This in turn should at least reduce the risk of retaliatory strikes.

But Israel’s tactics hardly work this time. The “New York Times” quotes an unspecified official. Israel has admitted to the US government that it was behind the assassination. In Israel, some are now outraged and suspect Washington has leaked Israel’s role to the media. The interests of both countries in Iran are currently quite different. The US government is working on a new version of the nuclear agreement. Israel rejects this and is observing closely that the negotiations with Iran are currently clearly faltering.

Killed colonel is said to have planned attacks

Iran is Israel’s archenemy. The conflict can hardly be described as a shadow war anymore and is being fought more and more openly. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett did not confirm that Israel was behind the assassination. Nonetheless, he became clear. The killed colonel is said to have planned attacks and attacks abroad – including against Israelis.

“For many years, the Iranian regime has perpetrated terror against Israel and the region through its proxies,” Bennett said. “But for some reason Iran itself enjoyed immunity. We’ve said this over and over again: this era of immunity is over. Whoever finances and arms terrorists, whoever hires terrorists, will pay the full price.”

Israel fears retaliation

If Israel were actually behind the killing of the colonel in the middle of Tehran, that would be extraordinary. So far, Israel is said to have only killed employees of the Iranian nuclear program on Iranian territory.

“Israel has been active in Tehran in the past,” Yaakov Amidror, former head of the Israeli army’s intelligence service, told the Ynet portal. But this time Israel also acted against a rank-and-file officer of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. In doing so, Israel is sending the message: Whoever acts against Israel, Israel will act against in Iran.”

Now Israel fears Iranian retaliation. The Israeli government tightened a travel warning for Turkey. For fear of attacks or kidnappings against Israelis there. The Israeli army also strengthened its anti-aircraft and anti-missile defenses. For fear of drone attacks from Lebanon and Syria. But Israel’s army isn’t just about defense. The attack is at least rehearsed. The army has been holding a major exercise for weeks. An air attack against the arch-enemy is also simulated: against Iran.