Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated as new intelligence leaks have emerged, alleging that Iran is advancing its nuclear weapons program. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) has unveiled what it claims to be Iran’s secret “Kavir Plan,” a project to develop nuclear warheads and detonators at multiple hidden sites across the country. These revelations come at a time when Israel has reportedly gathered sensitive information on Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
This new leak deepens the ongoing espionage war between the two nations, which has been marked by mutual accusations of nuclear-related covert activities. Iran, which has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, maintains that such leaks are fabricated by enemies to undermine its nuclear program. Meanwhile, the NCRI’s claims, often linked to the dissident group Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MeK), continue to be a point of contention, as both Tehran and Israel have been involved in exposing each other’s nuclear-related secrets, reports Newsweek.
The Kavir Plan: A New Step in Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
According to Alireza Jafarzadeh, a spokesperson for MeK, the “Kavir Plan” represents an advanced phase in Iran’s nuclear weapons development, designed to replace the earlier “Amad Plan.” The leak alleges that Iran is operating at least six secret sites in the Semnan province, where activities related to nuclear warheads, detonators, and tests are ongoing. The Kavir Plan, according to Jafarzadeh, is more sophisticated and secure than its predecessor, which was reportedly discontinued in the early 2000s following revelations by MeK that forced Iran to halt some of its nuclear activities.
Despite these claims, Iranian officials have consistently denied that the country is pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran has dismissed the MeK as a terrorist organization, and its allegations have been met with skepticism by the Iranian government. Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, in response to such leaks, continues to challenge the credibility of the MeK, accusing the group of producing false intelligence for foreign powers.
The Role of Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MeK) in Exposing Nuclear Secrets
The MeK, a group founded in 1965, has long been a thorn in Iran’s side, particularly when it comes to exposing Iran’s nuclear activities. The group first gained international attention in 2002 when it revealed the existence of Iran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the Arak heavy water plant. This revelation forced Iran to acknowledge the existence of these sites, even though Tehran denied any illicit nuclear intentions.
Jafarzadeh’s latest revelations about the Kavir Plan are presented as another step in MeK’s ongoing campaign to expose Iran’s nuclear program. The group claims that it has shared its findings not only with U.S. authorities but also with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The U.S. government, along with various Western intelligence agencies, continues to scrutinize the credibility of the MeK’s leaks, although Tehran has rejected their authenticity. According to the Iranian government, the MeK’s activities are nothing more than an attempt to gain favor with foreign powers, particularly the U.S. and Israel.
Rising Tensions: A Shadowy Espionage War
As tensions between Iran and Israel continue to mount, the nuclear issue remains at the center of the conflict. Israel has consistently warned that it will take military action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, despite ongoing nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Western powers. Iranian officials have retaliated with threats of their own, vowing to strike Israeli nuclear facilities in response to any Israeli aggression.
Iran’s latest claims about seizing sensitive Israeli nuclear documents come in the wake of accusations that Israel has been actively targeting Iran’s nuclear sites. A report by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council revealed that Tehran had obtained a large amount of strategic and sensitive information on Israel’s nuclear activities, which Iranian officials have vowed to use to strengthen their defense capabilities. This tit-for-tat intelligence battle highlights the growing stakes in the region, where both countries are leveraging espionage to achieve their nuclear goals.
