Description: The Iranian intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, announced on the Iranian national television IRIB, that classified Israeli documents, concerning their undisclosed nuclear capabilities and Israel’s defense systems have been obtained by the Iranian secret service. Khatib also stated that the transfer of the information was delicate and was a part of a broader Iranian covert operation to obtain information regarding Israel’s nuclear capabilities and details on Israel’s defense systems such as the Iron Dome. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the announcement might be legitimate but no high – level classified breaches were identified on Israel’s side, and it also could be part of an Iranian psychological ploy to undermine the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US. The information comes at a crucial time of increased bilateral tensions between the adversarial countries, regarding Iran’s disputed nuclear program and Israel’s constant threats of military interventionism on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Impact: The so – called treasure trove of information allegedly ascertained by the Iranian secret service could significantly impact the ongoing nuclear negotiations with the US and further escalate tensions with Israel. Iran would aim at exploiting the new development in their favor, in a period of time when Israel is under severe international scrutiny over their war in Gaza and the West Bank, as they would aim at unraveling information regarding Israel’s undeclared nuclear capacities. The information also comes at a crucial time for the ongoing negotiations with the US, as Iran’s latest refusal regarding the US proposition, positioned the country under growing international pressure to modify its stance regarding its uranium enrichment capacities. Iran could sway public opinion in their favor and paint Israel as the regional culprit in raising military tensions which could contribute to building a more favorable position in the nuclear negotiations and dictating a different diplomatic narrative going forward.