Episode summary
Former CIA analyst Ray McGovern and intelligence analyst Larry Johnson discussed recently surfaced reporting that Mossad plotted to assassinate Iran's foreign minister and parliament speaker, the country's principal negotiators with the United States. The New York Times and Washington Post reported the story this morning, though Johnson revealed the information is actually two months old, dating to Iranian officials' first visit to Islamabad for negotiations. Johnson stated Pakistani intelligence services, not the CIA, uncovered the plot and warned Tehran. The panel expressed surprise not at the assassination plot itself, which McGovern called standard Israeli modus operandi, but at the unusual willingness of establishment newspapers to publish information damaging to Israel. Johnson suggested the leak may be intended to prepare public opinion for reports of newer assassination plots, including one targeting Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The discussion turned to Netanyahu's desperate position, with McGovern noting the Prime Minister faces jail time if conflicts de-escalate. McGovern quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi warning that Trump has committed to restraining Israel, and that any threats against Iran will receive immediate powerful responses. In a striking conclusion, McGovern stated he cannot rule out Netanyahu resorting to nuclear weapons use given the extreme circumstances both he and Trump have created for themselves.
