The Iranian government has accused Israeli intelligence of plotting to sell faulty parts for Tehran’s ballistic missile program through a foreign supplier, claiming that these defective components were designed to explode. Deputy Defense Minister Brigadier General Reza Talaei-Nik aired these allegations on state TV, stating that Iranian intelligence had uncovered a “multi-year” sabotage operation aimed at disrupting the country’s military development.
According to Talaei-Nik, Iranian intelligence forces detected these faulty connectors before they could enter the missile system, catching the enemy by surprise. The operation, if successful, would have crippled Iran’s advanced military gear and cost the government millions in damages. The Defense Ministry has already identified and removed these problematic connectors from the missile program.
Furthermore, Talaei-Nik revealed that Tehran was first alerted to the possibility of sabotage nine years ago, when intelligence agencies discovered that the Israeli Mossad was focusing on certain subjects in the defense industry, including the connector. Israeli agents operated through a professional network, posing as a legitimate foreign supplier and clandestinely including the faulty parts in shipments to Iran.
The deputy defense chief also emphasized that Iran would not hesitate to take legal action against any states that may have collaborated in this plot. Although he did not specify any other countries involved, a 2019 report by The New York Times claimed that then-US President Donald Trump had revived a secret American program to sabotage Iran’s missiles and rockets, originally created under President George W. Bush. It remains unclear if this project continued under Trump’s successor.
The alleged Israeli sabotage plan was initially reported by Iranian media outlets, citing an unnamed official in the Defense Ministry’s Intelligence Organization. This source revealed that the parts supplier worked under direct orders from the Mossad and intended to convert the produced missiles into explosive devices to harm industrial lines and employees in this field.
A broadcast on Iranian state TV showed the parts responsible for connecting the computer network of Iranian-made ballistic missiles, as well as drones. This accusation is part of a long line of similar sabotage operations that Tehran has attributed to Tel Aviv in the past. These include a large explosion at Iran’s Parchin military complex last year and other mysterious blasts that have affected the country’s space and nuclear programs. Israeli officials have consistently denied involvement in these incidents.
The Iranian government’s allegations highlight the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, as well as the broader regional dynamics in the Middle East. Both countries have been engaged in a covert conflict, with accusations of sabotage and acts of aggression. These developments further contribute to the complex and volatile situation in the region.
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