Netanyahu Scapegoats Mossad for Iran War Shortcomings
Defenders of Mossad chief David Barnea say his scenario for a popular Iranian uprising was undercut by last-minute objections from Erdoğan and Trump
AS THE IRAN WAR DRAGS ON and the stated objectives for it remain shifting and unmet, tensions are mounting within Israel’s intelligence establishment—both between the Mossad and the Israeli Defense Forces, and between Israel and some parts of the U.S. intelligence community and White House.
This is reflected in published reports that sources within the IDF’s Military Intelligence service and its Operations Directorate, along with officials in the White House, were behind a New York Times story last week claiming that Mossad chief David Barnea had assessed, prior to the war, that his service “would likely be able to galvanize the Iranian opposition—igniting riots and other acts of rebellion that could even lead to the collapse of Iran’s government.”
“That Hasn’t Happened,” the incriminating Times headline blared.
