Israel Hayom: Israeli anger at Whistleblower’s efforts to stop diplomacy towards Iran
Israeli officials on Sunday expressed anger at US envoy Steve Witkoff’s diplomatic efforts toward Iran, stressing readiness for the possibility of Washington launching an attack on Tehran, but also stressing that they do not know where things are headed.
The Israel Hayom newspaper quoted an Israeli official as saying that Witkoff conveyed to US President Donald Trump a WhatsApp message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and a written pledge from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in order to persuade him to postpone the attack on Iran.
The official said Witkoff continues to push for a diplomatic path to resolve the Iranian issue, despite intelligence information and testimonies from Iranians reaching Israel and intelligence services in other countries, including the death toll from the crackdown on protests, and executions by firing squad or often by hanging, often without trial.
For its part, the Israel Broadcasting Corporation quoted Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir as saying that the date of the US attack on Iran hasn’t been determined, noting that it depends on Trump’s decision.
It also quoted an informed source as confirming that US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper and the Israeli chief of staff discussed defense coordination between the two countries in the event of a US attack on Iran that could lead to the launch of ballistic missiles towards Israel.
Israel’s Channel 12 quoted the commander of Israel’s Northern Command as saying that Tel Aviv doesn’t know where things are headed regarding Iran, saying, “We see the buildup of US forces in the Gulf and we are preparing for the possibility that Washington decides to launch an attack”.
Iran has warned that any hostile move against it will be met with a broad response targeting US bases in the region, in conjunction with a growing US military buildup in the Middle East and fears of an open confrontation.
Pressure from the United States and its ally Israel on Tehran has been mounting since popular demonstrations began in Iran in late December to protest the deteriorating economic and living conditions.
