Israel may be preparing a surprise operation against Iran’s top military commanders, modeled on its 2024 pager attack on Hezbollah, if fighting resumes after Tuesday’s US midterm elections, the New York Post reported Saturday, citing sources.
According to the report, the operation would target four military and security hardliners who are believed to be effectively running the Islamic Republic, while its political leadership plays a largely symbolic role. Among those named are Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s armed forces headquarters, and Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council.
Oded Ailam, a former deputy head of global operations at the Mossad, told the Post that a dramatic operation in the style of “Operation Grim Beeper” aimed at wiping out the regime’s military leadership remains fully on the table. He said he was fully confident Israel holds hidden cards it will use.
Former national security adviser Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror told the paper that a decapitation strike against Iran’s military leadership is possible if the war resumes. However, he stressed that Israel’s top priority would be neutralizing the regime’s nuclear and missile capabilities. He added that Iranian attacks on Gulf oil and gas facilities could give Israel grounds to strike Iran’s own energy sector on a massive scale.
In September 2024, thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives exploded across Lebanon and Syria in an operation widely attributed to Israel. It badly damaged the terror group’s command structure ahead of Israel’s ground offensive.
The report comes as Israel and the United States complete preparations for a possible renewed campaign against Iran. President Donald Trump has not yet authorized new strikes.
