An Israeli channel reported that there is a significant disagreement between the Mossad and the Israeli army regarding the nature of the response to Iran, following the targeting of a ship in the Gulf of Oman last Thursday.
The Hebrew Channel 12 revealed on Monday evening that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held an emergency meeting on Sunday concerning the targeting of an Israeli ship in the Gulf of Oman, which included the Chief of Staff, General Aviv Kochavi, and the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen. The channel explained that there is a sharp disagreement between the Mossad and the army regarding how to respond to the targeting of the Israeli ship. While Cohen insists on the necessity of delivering a decisive and bold response against Iran, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi calls for a moderate and urgent response that does not escalate tensions between the Iranian and Israeli sides.
For its part, the Iranian government announced on Tuesday that "Netanyahu's accusations against Tehran regarding the targeting of the Israeli ship in the Sea of Oman aim to achieve internal and external goals." Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei stated during a press conference that his country "monitors suspicious Israeli movements and will not allow Israel to commit any folly against its national interests," considering that "Netanyahu's accusations aim to achieve internal and external goals and stem from his concern over the revival of the nuclear deal and the return of diplomacy with Tehran."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for the explosion that targeted the Israeli ship in the Gulf of Oman but avoided answering a question about whether Israel would respond. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz indicated that his "initial assessment" is that Iran is responsible for the explosion that targeted the ship, which later sailed to Dubai for inspection.
In response, the Iranian Foreign Ministry commented on Netanyahu's accusations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh stated that the coordinated accusations are futile against Iran. Khatibzadeh said, "We will respond to any action with action and to any step with a like response."
