by Amichai Stein
National Security Council official confirms travel warnings raised for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, describing a "fundamental change" in Tehran’s approach.
In a stark warning to Israeli travelers abroad, a senior National Security Council (NSC) official warned in a conversation with The Jerusalem Post that the Islamic Republic has engaged in an “unprecedented removal of restraints” regarding terror plots abroad, shifting from cautious proxy warfare to direct, “dirty,” and unfiltered attempts to harm Israelis globally.
The senior official described a dramatic shift in Tehran’s modus operandi. Following a series of intelligence and military blows sustained by the regime, Iran is no longer operating solely through layers of deniability.
“We are seeing an Iranian removal of restraints that is almost unprecedented,” the official stated. “No proxies, no filters. Where they can act, they act. Whether with brazen determination or in a ‘dirty’ manner. It is a fundamental change in approach because they feel they have nothing to lose right now given what they have absorbed.”
As part of the heightened alert, the NSC has raised travel warnings for several countries bordering or in close proximity to Iran: Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. These join existing high-level warnings for the United Arab Emirates and other nations in the region.
The official emphasized that the threat is not limited to Iranian agents but includes a “mix of efforts.” Tehran is recruiting “anyone available,” including criminal syndicates, mercenaries, Afghans, and Azeris to carry out attacks. “Anyone who is available and ready to work,” the official says.
The official added, “Some of those killed in recent days in Iran were planning terror attacks abroad, and the moment they were killed, the command and control capability of all the processes was disrupted.”
Iranian regime 'eager for battle'
The official described a regime that is “eager for battle.” In the past, Iran relied heavily on maintaining a safe distance from terror plots – such as the attempted attacks in Cyprus and other countries – blaming local criminals or third parties to maintain plausible deniability. That era appears to be over.
The official highlighted the success of global cooperation, noting that dozens of terror attempts are thwarted annually. He emphasized that even nations with strained diplomatic relations with Israel are cooperating to prevent attacks on their soil.
“It is a known rule that for counterterrorism, you have no enemies,” the official said. “Even countries that like you less – a terror attack has image and economic implications. There is a distinct interest that there will be no terror.”
The NSC official ended with practical, urgent advice for Israelis currently abroad or planning to travel. Beyond the state-level threat, there is a rising concern regarding “lone wolf” attacks incited by global anti-Israel sentiment and religious fatwas (decrees).
“An Israeli, wherever he is, needs extra caution these days,” the official warned.
He advised Israelis to avoid large gatherings at Chabad houses and kosher restaurants in sensitive areas and to avoid displaying outward signs of Israeli or Jewish identity.
“I recommend to any Israeli, wherever they are, [to] avoid places associated with the Jewish community and Israel. We need double caution here,” the official concluded. “Avoid that local ‘crazed’ individual who decides to take initiative.”
Amichai Stein
Source: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-889282
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