Former Mossad official Haim Tomer explains how Iranian intelligence operates abroad, recruits foreign agents, and transfers funds to terrorists, while highlighting their preference for mass attacks or high-value individual targets, and the excellent cooperation between Mossad and Greek intelligence services.
The recent arrest of Pakistani nationals planning to attack Israeli targets in Greece has highlighted a complex spy game involving Iranian intelligence services. The former head of Mossad’s International Liaison and Operational Division, Haim Tomer, explains that Iran’s modus operandi includes “deniability”, targeting easily accessible and unprotected locations, attacking in countries with little strategic interest to Iran, and infiltrating countries with long borders. Iran recruits foreign agents, often Shiites with dual identities, through Hezbollah or directly. Tomer believes Iran prefers mass attacks or high-value individual targets. Iran uses various methods to transfer funds to terrorists, including cash, undercover bank accounts, and semi-formal channels. Mossad and Greek intelligence services have had excellent cooperation for the past 25-30 years due to their shared interests in the eastern Mediterranean.