The Israel Air Force held exercises to simulate an attack on Iran, under the supervision of a US officer, Israel’s official broadcasting corporation (Kan 11) reported.
Quoting unnamed sources, the corporation said the drills took place over the Mediterranean. It covered various scenarios such as mid-air refueling, long-range strikes, and different responses to anti-aircraft missiles.
The Israeli channel pointed to the start of the Israeli exercises, noting that the participation of a US officer was a “precedent.” It also stated that these maneuvers simulated an attack on “long-range” targets, including in Iran.
According to Kan 11, dozens of aircraft participated in the exercises, which it linked it to the launch of the final stages of talks on the Iranian nuclear program between Tehran and the major powers in Vienna.
It added that Israel was currently focusing on the defensive deployment on its northern front, in anticipation of any military option against Iran, in reference to the Lebanese Hezbollah, which is loyal to Tehran.
The report came in parallel to statements by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in which he said his country would “continue action against Tehran, regardless of the results of the talks aimed at reviving the agreement on its nuclear program in Vienna.”
He did not hesitate to express his hope that the talks “end without an agreement.”
“In both cases, our campaign (against Iran) continues,” Bennett told the 15th annual international conference of the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv. “The Iranians will remain Iranians.”
He stressed that the plan to weaken Tehran had begun and was being implemented “in all its nuclear, economic and cyber” dimensions, in addition to “covert and overt operations.”
Meanwhile, an Iranian hacking group has intensified its cyber-attacks against Israeli companies and personalities.
Political sources in Tel Aviv told the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper that unlike normal ransomware attacks, the Iranian hackers were now operating out of geopolitical motives with the aim of harming Israel’s interests.
They added that the website of the group mentioned a wide number of Israeli companies and organizations that the hackers claim to have attacked, including Unit 8200 (a unit in the Israeli intelligence responsible for electronic espionage) and Rafael (for defense industries).
