Mossad chief David Barnea delivered a special speech today (Sunday) at the annual conference of the Institute for Counter-Terrorism Policy at Reichman University, in which he addressed the current security threats perceived by Israel. In his remarks, he asserted that Iran is working to spread terrorism worldwide and expressed concern about the possibility of Russia supplying advanced weapons to Iran that could endanger Israel.
According to his statements, Israel has thwarted 27 Iranian attacks in the past year. "We have witnessed a significant increase in attempts to harm Israelis and Jews worldwide, and we are working to prevent this," said Barnea. "After we have clearly demonstrated to the world that all the terrorist events that were thwarted were under Iranian guidance, the time has come to exact a different price - even in the heart of Tehran. Our message is clear and resolute to those who decided to launch the missiles: be sure that we will reach you, and justice will prevail. This has already been proven in the past, and in the future, we will step it up."
He also warned that "as a result of assisting Russia in the sale of air defense systems, we know that Iran intended to sell short and long-range missiles. I have a feeling that they want to sell more advanced weapons that can also be thwarted. The concern is that the Russians will provide the Iranians with what they lack - advanced weapons that will certainly threaten our security."
"As Iranian self-security increases, so do its efforts to spread terror worldwide. This is driven by a sense that the price the regime will pay will not be high," explained the head of the Mossad. "Iranian terrorism continues as the Iranian regime sees it as a means to maintain its rule."
Barnea also mentioned, among other things, the thwarted attempt to carry out a terrorist attack against Israelis at a Chabad house in Athens, as well as recent attempts to harm Israeli businessmen in Georgia and Cyprus. "So far, we have only reached the commanders responsible for carrying out these operations, but I say on this stage – harming an Israeli or a Jew by Iranian proxies or Iranian weapons will also lead to actions against those who sent the terrorists, from the operational level to the highest decision-making levels," he emphasized. "The prices will be exacted deep within Iran and also in the heart of Tehran."
