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Greece Arrests Two Men Suspected of Planning Attack on Israeli Restaurant

A man holding an umbrella stands in front of a Jewish restaurant that Greek officials believe was one of the targets of a planned terrorist attack, in central Athens, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP)
A man holding an umbrella stands in front of a Jewish restaurant that Greek officials believe was one of the targets of a planned terrorist attack, in central Athens, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP)
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Greece Arrests Two Men Suspected of Planning Attack on Israeli Restaurant

A man holding an umbrella stands in front of a Jewish restaurant that Greek officials believe was one of the targets of a planned terrorist attack, in central Athens, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP)
A man holding an umbrella stands in front of a Jewish restaurant that Greek officials believe was one of the targets of a planned terrorist attack, in central Athens, Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (AP)

Greek police said on Tuesday they had arrested two men suspected members of a group that was planning an attack against an Israeli restaurant in Athens, a case which Israel said was orchestrated from Iran.

The anti-terrorist agency launched the operation that led to the arrests on information gathered by the country's intelligence service, police said in a statement. It said the arrests had helped "dismantle a terrorist network" that was being managed from abroad.

A police official who declined to be named said the two men, 27 and 29 years old, were Pakistani nationals. According to the semi-official Athens News Agency, citing police officials, they were receiving orders from other Pakistani nationals in Iran.

Israel's intelligence service Mossad said in a rare statement that it had assisted in the investigation.

"The investigation exposed that the operation in Greece was part of a vast Iranian network, operated from Iran across many countries," it said.

The Iranian Embassy in Athens could not immediately be reached outside of business hours.

Greek police said they had confiscated digital evidence which revealed that the group was planning to attack a building of "special significance" in Greece and was looking for people who could help them carry out their project.

The police official said that the target was an Israeli restaurant in Athens.

"They were aiming at human loss and wanted to undermine security in Greece and hurt its foreign relations," the Greek police said in a statement.

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Iran Army Says Israel Failed to Disrupt its Air Defenses

A meeting between the commanders of air defenses in the Iranian army and members of the National Security Committee in Parliament (Mehr)
A meeting between the commanders of air defenses in the Iranian army and members of the National Security Committee in Parliament (Mehr)
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Iran Army Says Israel Failed to Disrupt its Air Defenses

A meeting between the commanders of air defenses in the Iranian army and members of the National Security Committee in Parliament (Mehr)
A meeting between the commanders of air defenses in the Iranian army and members of the National Security Committee in Parliament (Mehr)

Iranian officials have said that a recent Israeli strike on Iran failed to achieve its objectives of disabling Iranian air defense systems.

Brig. Gen. Alireza Sabahifard, head of Iran’s Air Defense Force, told members of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee that, despite some damages, Iran’s air defense systems were quickly restored. He emphasized that no Israeli aircraft had entered Iranian airspace during the attack, underlining the resilience of Iran’s defense infrastructure.

The Israeli military had claimed the October 26 attack targeted military installations in Iran in response to earlier Iranian missile strikes on October 1, which Iran asserted were retaliations for the deaths of pro-Iranian leaders and a Revolutionary Guard general.

According to Israeli media, the strike damaged radar systems in southwestern Iran, impacted missile production facilities at Parchin, and hit a solid-fuel rocket workshop near Khajir, east of Tehran. Reports also mentioned damage at Shahrud’s space center and the destruction of several Russian-made S-300 air defense systems. Satellite images confirmed some destruction, and Iranian authorities reported that the attack killed five people, including four military personnel and one civilian, with many others wounded.

Sabahifard told lawmakers that all targeted defense systems were operational once again and highlighted the importance of continued military enhancements. Citing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s focus on defense priorities, he noted that Iran’s air defense capabilities have significantly advanced in recent years, claiming it to be the strongest in the region.

While Iran has pledged a strong response to any future Israeli attacks, the United States recently announced an increased military presence in the Middle East to deter potential Iranian aggression and defend Israel. The Pentagon’s deployment includes additional ballistic missile defenses, fighter jets, and B-52 bombers, aimed at reinforcing the region’s defenses.

In a recent interview, Major General Mohammad Jafar Asadi, Deputy Chief of Operations for Iran’s General Staff, indicated that Iran’s response would occur at a time chosen by Khamenei, implying a significant retaliatory operation, potentially named “True Promise 3.” This follows Iran’s October counterattacks against Israel, which it labeled as “True Promise 2.” Asadi emphasized that Iran has faced continuous struggles on multiple fronts for 45 years, specifically against Israel, which he described as a “cancerous tumor.”

Asadi also reaffirmed Iran’s ongoing support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. He described the broader conflict as one between Iran and the United States, claiming that Israel’s advanced military capabilities are heavily supported by US weaponry and strategic guidance.