Iran prepared for larger war, fearing US talks were cover for Israeli attack

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Ahmad Vahidi. Photo by Tasnim News Agency, CC BY 4.0, Wikipedia

Linked below is an article by Tzvi Jasper relating an important report from the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday that Iran anticipated that the development of the now infamous MOU by the UA was actually an attempt for them to buy time for a larger attack by Israeli and American forces, and that, consequently, Iran came to prepare for a larger fight themselves. The WSJ goes on to report that Arab intelligence officials picked up evidence of Iranian leaders planning potential attacks on enemy territory, broadening the scope of the war and raising the cost for the US.

Mohammad Hassan Sangtarash, a Tehran-based defense analyst close to the Iranian government indicated that the Iranians believe that the real war with the US has yet to begin.   Part of Iranian preparations for the anticipated larger war included sending advisors to Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon for discussions about how Iran’s proxy militias might be employed in the coming melee. Alsom the IRGC reportedly sent commanders to assist the Houthi terrorist group, supervising the deployment of missiles and other weapons targeting the Red Sea, as well as giving the group lists of targets and general advice and guidance. The IRGC additionally threatened Gulf states with warnings that it would target their energy facilities, even sending lists of specific targets within the individual states. IRGC plans also include options including sabotaging internet cables, raising political unrest in countries with high Shia populations, and ground operations within Kuwait.  The WSJ report identifies the recent appointment of Ahmad Vahidi as the new Revolutionary Guard Commander in Chief as evidence that of the security establishment preparing for a protracted period of sustained war rather anticipating any move back towards peaceful conditions.

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-905734