IAEA cooperated with Israel against Iran — intelligence source

Photo: ‘The Tehran Times’

According to the report, the IAEA also allegedly disclosed to Israel the names of Iranian nuclear scientists, who were later assassinated in sabotage attacks, TASS informs.

In an operation to gain access to a secret archive of Israeli documents, the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence discovered that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been passing confidential letters from Tehran to the IAEA "containing sensitive information" to Israeli intelligence agencies through secret channels, Fars news agency reported citing a source in the Iranian intelligence.

"These documents clearly show that instead of playing a neutral role, the IAEA has become an instrument serving the objectives of the Zionist regime," the agency quoted the source as saying.

According to Fars, the IAEA also allegedly disclosed to Israel the names of Iranian nuclear scientists, who were later assassinated in sabotage attacks.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry, the agency noted, "will resort to firm diplomatic steps in response to these gross violations" by the IAEA.

On June 7, Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian special services have obtained an archive of confidential documents on Israel’s nuclear program.

On the following day, Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib said Iran would publish those classified documents soon. He described them as "a trove," which will enhance the Islamic Republic’s attack capabilities.

Israel has long boasted that intelligence advantage in the region is on its side, claiming its espionage and surveillance capabilities are too sophisticated to be rivaled by any other actor, ‘The Tehran Times’ stresses.

The regime’s intelligence capabilities faced another test last week, after Iran’s national television announced that the country had obtained a large trove of classified Israeli information. Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib stated that the successful operation had significantly enhanced Iran's "offensive" capabilities. He noted the ministry required considerable time to review the obtained documents, images, and videos. The Tehran Times understands that Iran obtained the secret data not only through direct access within the occupied territories but also through other operational methods.

The extracted information spans various sectors, but data related to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is especially relevant in light of the agency's recent increased pressure on Tehran.

According to sources speaking to the Tehran Times, Iran uncovered confidential letters it had sent to the IAEA within the occupied territories, along with other secret documents belonging to the UN nuclear watchdog concerning its nuclear program.

One source stated that Iran suspects Israel did not obtain the letters and documents through espionage but received them directly from the IAEA. "Of course, if proven to be true, this would not be too surprising," the source said. "We have long known that the IAEA functions as a political tool, rather than a technical body with legal obligations."

Apart from the cozy relationship between the IAEA and Israel, Iran’s successful intelligence operation has led to the discovery of the locations of secret nuclear sites built by Israel in the occupied territories. In a statement published on Monday, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said it now possesses a “bank of Zionist targets”.

“These [hidden] sites would be attacked in response to any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” the statement read. Israeli officials have said they would attack Iran’s nuclear sites if indirect negotiations between Tehran and Washington fail to lead to their “dismantlement”.

When breaking the news of the intelligence operation in remarks to national TV, Khatib said the volume of documents obtained was so immense that “thousands of documents’ is a gross understatement compared to what has been acquired."

The Tehran Times understands that Iranian authorities have yet to publicly discuss the most significant content of the recovered documents and footage.

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