Cooperation over Iraq

Two months after reports that Israel attacked Iranian bases in Iraq, causing heavy damage, the Iraqi prime minister issued a warning last week that his country’s military would respond to any future air strikes.

Israeli security figures have yet to officially confirm that Israel is operating in Iraq. They also refuse to verify reports that one of the targets attacked in Iraq was only 80 kilometers from the border with Iran (a possible hint to the Iranians that Israel could reach their territory).

A defense figure told me Israel will take action on any front that presents a threat, regardless of the difficulty of the operation.

“Iraq is a sovereign country, but from a military and security perspective, they’re controlled by [Iran’s] Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” the source said. “In the event of a flare-up, the decision about who will fire the antiaircraft missile will be made by Iranians, not Iraqis.”