Tension rises once again in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, with reports focusing on explosions on Qeshm island where an American warplane fired missiles and Iranian air defense responded by downing an MQ-9 drone once more.
Meanwhile, a plan by Mossad, the Israeli Secret Service, was uncovered; it aimed to carry out an operation inside Iran, but whether by mistake or deliberate leak it was exposed, the Americans learned of it, and they froze the plan.
At the same time, the US Military Command announced a «bounty» for information regarding Iran's nuclear program worth 20 million dollars with additional benefits for anyone providing significant information, a fact that testifies to the failure of the Trump administration to dismantle the nuclear program, the reason cited for launching this war against Tehran.
Explosions shook southern Iran, on Qeshm island - US aircraft attacked, the Iranians downed an MQ-9 drone again
Explosions shook the island of Qeshm in southern Iran.
According to Al Jazeera, an American MQ-9 drone was shot down there.
Never in history have the Americans lost so many ultra-expensive MQ-9 drones.
Initial reports and field observations indicate that several explosions were heard and air defense systems were activated on Qeshm island and in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the first published reports, at least two massive explosions were heard on Qeshm island, immediately followed by extensive activity of defensive systems in the area.
Some unofficial sources and local witnesses claimed that this defensive reaction followed the transit of a US military fighter jet over the skies of Qeshm.
There are reports that two anti-ship missiles were launched from Qeshm toward targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports indicate that new US airstrikes struck an Iranian air defense missile launcher on Qeshm island.
Trump: We conducted a targeted strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft installation near Qeshm island
The US military conducted a targeted strike on an Iranian anti-aircraft installation near Qeshm island, US President Trump announced.
«We are carrying out small attacks, but they disable the installations.
They (Iran) built a small anti-aircraft installation and we dismantled it in about 15 minutes, maybe even 5 minutes», stated Trump.
State television IRIB later clarified that air defense forces destroyed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in the area.
Trump: «We are negotiating with Iran»... Qatar: The agreement will not be perfect but it will be a deal
While US President Trump states that the US is negotiating with Iran, the Prime Minister of Qatar emphasized that the US and Iran will not be able to reach a «perfect deal».
They will have to accept a deal instead of a perfect deal.
Trump, on his part, reiterated that if I had not stopped Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, Israel and indeed the entire Middle East would not exist today.
Nobody wants to say this, but everyone knows it is true.
Financial Times: Mediators insist on giving diplomacy time... but Trump may take action
The Financial Times wrote that mediators have pressed Trump to give more time to diplomacy on the Iranian issue.
Diplomats say that both sides want to reach an agreement.
However, significant differences still remain between the warring parties.
A source familiar with the negotiations mentioned that both sides are separately reviewing the latest mediator proposals to narrow the differences and bring the positions of the parties closer together.
There are also persistent concerns that an angry and vindictive Trump could take military action against Iran, potentially targeting its infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Fox News claims, citing American officials, that on November 9, a new moon will appear across the Middle East and may create favorable conditions for military operations.
US President Trump met with the national security team to discuss the resumption of military action against Iran.
CENTCOM: 20 million dollar reward for anyone providing information
The joint combatant command of the US armed forces responsible for the Middle East (CENTCOM) announced that, under the «Rewards for Justice» program of the State Department, the American government is offering a reward reaching up to 20 million dollars, accompanied by the promise of potential relocation, to any person who channels information regarding Tehran's nuclear energy program.
According to what CENTCOM states, American agencies are seeking details concerning physical facilities, technological equipment, scientific and technical personnel, as well as movements of individuals and materials.
The «Rewards for Justice» program, which was established in 1984 as an informant financing mechanism for defending American interests globally, is being utilized again as a tool of pressure and internal subversion.
In its relevant statement, the US Department of State justified this move by citing alleged non-compliance by Iran with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) regarding safeguards obligations.
It claimed that due to this stance, the IAEA lost the «continuity of knowledge» concerning the production and stockpiles of key components, such as centrifuges, thus attempting to fabricate a diplomatic pretext for escalating aggression.
The announcement of the bounty stands in stark contrast to the rhetoric adopted by Donald Trump, who repeatedly claims that American forces have succeeded in eliminating Tehran's nuclear program.
Speaking from West Palm Beach, Florida, Donald Trump made aggressive statements, claiming that if the US had not hit Iran, Israel would not exist today, while adding that if Iran possessed nuclear weapons, it would have already used them, obliterating the Middle East.
At the same time, he claimed that Iran has suffered severe blows to its economy and its military during the armed clashes and desperately wants to find an end to the conflict.
IRGC: Any country aiding the US in an attack against Iran will henceforth be a legitimate target
An officer in the command of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any country or force inciting the United States to a new act of aggression against Iran will be considered a «legitimate target» for retaliatory strikes.
Indeed, the supreme leader of Iran, Khamenei, ordered senior military commanders to ensure that any level or type of hostile threat is met with a «geographically unlimited response».
Channel 12: Last-minute cancellation of Mossad and Netanyahu operation inside Iran
According to Israeli channel Channel 12, a plan by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and the leaders of Mossad inside Iranian territory on the eve of the elections in Israel was canceled at the last minute.
An operation that was apparently supposed to have taken place before the Israeli elections, but did not materialize due to American intervention.
According to a report by Channel 12, Netanyahu and the head of Mossad, Roman Goffman, had planned the operation.
However, the plan faced resistance at the highest levels of the Israeli security establishment.
According to Channel 12, several senior Israeli security officials were concerned about executing such an operation at a critical juncture before the elections.
Their assessment was that military or Secret Service action inside Iran could lead to an extensive escalation of tensions and even impact the domestic political process in Israel.
One concern was that the increasing level of tension with Iran would make holding the elections on schedule difficult.
For this reason, not all sectors of the Israeli security apparatus were evidently in agreement with the plan.
The mistake that activated America
The most important part of the Channel 12 report concerns the manner in which the plan was exposed.
According to the media outlet, a mistake by an Israeli Mossad operative led to the leaking of information regarding the operation to American officials.
After learning about the Israeli plan, Washington acted swiftly to halt it.
Channel 12 claims that American intervention ultimately prevented the implementation of the plan, and the operation planned by Netanyahu and Mossad chief Roman Goffman was not carried out.
Nevertheless, critical details regarding the nature of the operation, its intended targets, the manner in which it was designed, and the identity of the Mossad operative have not been publicized.
However, if the allegations are true, this incident could be an indication of differing views between Israeli political figures and government security officials concerning the method of confronting Iran.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments