Israel May Target Iran's Military Leaders With Pager-Style Attack If Conflict Resumes
Sources suggest Israel is preparing a sophisticated operation similar to its recent attack on Hezbollah.
Israel may be planning a "Operation Grim Beeper"-style attack targeting the four military hardliners who effectively rule Iran, should strikes against the Islamic Republic resume after the upcoming midterm elections, sources told The Post. This potential operation mirrors Israel's September strike on Hezbollah, which involved detonating thousands of explosive-rigged pagers and walkie-talkies across Lebanon and Syria.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East, joining the USS George Washington and USS George W. Bush, amid heightened tensions. President Trump has stated that a conflict "is going to get wrapped up soon," while Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) described the US war plan as "insane" and likely to cause "devastating escalation."
According to Oded Ailam, former Mossad Deputy Head of Global Operations, Israel has been developing surprise attack strategies against Iran for years. He indicated that Israel possesses undisclosed capabilities that could be employed. "This is the bread and butter of Israeli strategy, is surprise twists and turns, unexpected moves and I’m absolutely certain that Israel has cards in the sleeve that will be used," Ailam said.
The four individuals identified as the true power behind Iran's government are Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi, Basij forces commander Hossein Taeb, Iranian Army Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei. These figures are seen as operating behind nominal political leaders such as President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Vahidi, Rezaei, and Taeb are implicated in the January crackdown on protesters that resulted in significant casualties. Vahidi faces U.S. and E.U. sanctions for his alleged role in terrorism and pursuit of nuclear weapons. Taeb, newly appointed by Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has been tasked with expanding the Basij's intelligence and troop numbers. Abdollahi, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury, has made hostile statements toward Gulf Arab countries allied with the U.S. Rezaei is subject to an Interpol Red Notice for his alleged involvement in the 1994 Buenos Aires Jewish Community Center bombing.
These military leaders have reportedly thwarted attempts by Iran's political leadership to negotiate with the U.S., believing that control over the Strait of Hormuz granted them leverage. Cracks are also reportedly appearing within the regime itself due to economic sanctions and a military blockade, leading to internal friction over strategy. Vice President Vance recently sent a letter to Rezaei in an effort to restart negotiations, but there has been no response from the Iranian regime.
Retired U.S. General Jack Keane suggested that any strikes should target leadership, Iran's nuclear program, domestic energy infrastructure, and ballistic missile and drone facilities. Ailam believes that a successful decapitation strike could have a more profound psychological impact on the regime than a ground invasion.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran Program for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, stated that Iran's primary objective in retaliation would be survival, potentially striking energy and civilian infrastructure in neighboring Gulf countries and possibly Israel. Former IDF Major General Yaakov Amidror suggested that an Iranian attack on Gulf energy facilities could provide Israel justification to target Iran's entire energy infrastructure, setting the country back decades. Amidror also noted that while a strike on Iran's military leadership is possible, Israel's priority would be neutralizing its nuclear and missile capabilities.