Israel: Iran is Forming a Terrorist Network in Europe and America

On Wednesday, March 5, Israel's Defense Minister accused the Islamic Republic of Iran of creating an international terrorist network to carry out operations in Europe and America. According to the Associated Press, Moshe Ya'alon stated, "The Iranian government is organizing a complex terrorist organization using the Revolutionary Guard, whose operatives are gathering weapons and intelligence and are ready to act in Europe and America." This Israeli official claimed that Iran's goal is to destabilize the Middle East and other parts of the world, as well as to train and equip "secret agents" to spread the revolution. Ya'alon also referred to Tehran as the center of a "dangerous axis" that includes Baghdad, Damascus, Beirut, Sanaa, and several other cities in the region. The Israeli government has consistently labeled the Islamic Republic as the greatest threat in the region, citing Tehran's support for militia groups like Hezbollah and Hamas as evidence. The Associated Press noted that the Israeli Defense Minister did not provide any evidence of Iranian operatives in Europe and America, only indirectly referencing Hussein Bassam Abdullah, a Hezbollah member who was tried this summer for possessing 9 tons of chemical material and attempting to build a bomb in Cyprus. The Cypriot court ultimately sentenced Hussein Bassam Abdullah to six years in prison, but the charge that drew international attention was that Hezbollah intended to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli interests in Cyprus through Abdullah. Moshe Ya'alon, who traveled to Cyprus to meet with officials, stated that the Cypriot court "thwarted Hezbollah and Iran's efforts to establish a terrorist organization" that was supposed to expand throughout Europe. This is the first time in Israel's history that the country's Defense Minister has visited Cyprus, which is a member of the European Union. In this context, Bulgaria: Stronger evidence about the terrorist nature of Hezbollah is being published. The Bulgarian government identified Hezbollah as responsible for the bombing in Burgas, reiterating the Bulgarian official's emphasis on Hezbollah's involvement in the Burgas terrorist attack. The military wing of Hezbollah has been placed on the European Union's terrorist list.