Israel Army: Hizbullah Might Attack Israel to Stave off Pressure in Iran

Tehran could activate Hizbullah fighters to attack Israel in an effort to stave off domestic pressure within Iran, according to assessments in the Israeli army’s Northern Command.

“The concern within the army is that if the regime in Tehran feels under pressure due to anti-government demonstrations, it will try to initiate an attack on an Israeli target – either overseas or near the border – to divert attention from its own troubles,” said The Jerusalem Post newspaper on Monday.

The Israeli daily said that Hizbullah operatives were assisting Iranian security forces in suppressing anti-regime protests.

Iranian opposition groups claimed that as many as 1,500 Hizbullah operatives are taking part in the clashes, said Israel’s Ynet news site.

“There has always been one common enemy for the Islamic world, and that is Israel,” a senior defense official said. “Israel will then need to consider how to respond to the attack.”

Last week, Israeli embassies were placed on heightened alert and four were closed following concrete warnings of possible attacks timed to mark the third anniversary of Hizbullah military commander Imad Mughniyeh’s assassination.