Iran is considering attacking the World Cup in Qatar according to Israel's intelligence chief.
Major General Aharon Haliva said that the motivation would be that an attack on the worlds biggest stage would take the focus away from deadly protests in Iran.
Violent clashes between military and anti-government protesters have resulted in the death of at least 378 civilians since the killing of Masha Amini.
READ MORE: Dad takes 9-year-old son to Hooters as 'reward' for good school report
Amini, 22, was beaten to death by morality police after she had been arrested in the capital of Tehran for not following strict hijab laws.
"I am telling you that the Iranians are now considering attacking the World Cup in Qatar as well," Haliva told an Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) conference in Tel Aviv.
"Iran is seeking to preserve instability as a constant thing. At a time when the world around it is stable and thriving — this is the opposite of what is happening inside Iran," Haliva said, according to The Times of Israel.
"The World Cup is likely to be one of those events at which it tries to cause instability," he added.
Maj Gen Haliva described the unrest as “extremely exceptional protests” that have “moved to a civilian rebellion”.
-
Man fuming after seeing his plane seat despite paying extra to avoid it
For more incredible stories from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
“Iran is on the whole field, from nuclear to riots,” said Maj Gen Haliva. “The only thing holding them back is how the Qataris will react.”
“The death toll, the attacks on national symbols, this is very troubling for the regimen, in combination with sanctions,” he said.
“I do not see a risk to the regimen … but as the pressure on Iran increases, including internal pressure, the Iranian response is much more aggressive,” he said.
“So we should expect much more aggressive responses in the region and in the world.”
Masha Amini was allegedly arrested for having some hair visible under her headscarf, an item of clothing which Iranian women are legally required to wear.
READ NEXT:
- Terrifying moment Crimean Bridge was rocked by explosion damaging Putin's key crossing
- Putin accidentally becomes most generous donor of weapons to Ukraine
- 15,000 Russian soldiers 'stranded and will be forced to surrender' in latest Putin blow
- Russia 'fighting blind' as all military satellites have been hacked and taken offline
Source: Read Full Article