Iranian Nuclear Scientists: Is Israel Behind the Assassinations?

But is Israel really behind these killings? And, if so, why would they take such a risk to engineer such acts against one of their deadliest enemies, Iran?

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International Business Times spokes to an expert on Mideast politics to discuss the topic.

Dilshod Achilov is a professor of political science at East Tennessee State University, in Johnson City, Tenn.

IB TIMES: The French newspaper Le Figaro recently alleged that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is recruiting Iranian Kurds in Iraq to subvert Tehran’s nuclear program. They also suggested that Israel is behind the recent murders of Iranian nuclear scientists. Do you think these reports are credible?

ACHILOV: It is not impossible. There is little doubt that Mossad is actively trying to disrupt the Iranian nuclear program using various covert operations by any means necessary. Cyber-attacks on Iranian computer networks and targeted suicide missions against Iranian nuclear scientists are not random events. Rather, these events are carefully planned and thoroughly orchestrated operations by one or more intelligence units (working in close collaboration) who are committed to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
There were already many reports in the past that documented the involvement of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad operatives in helping the Kurdish separatists -- Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK) -- in northern Iran.

IB TIMES: What reasons would Kurds in Iraq and Iran have to help Israel?

ACHILOV: Although it is hard to speculate on this issue without hard evidence, we can consider the following factors: First of all, money goes a long way: financial incentives play an important role when it comes to recruiting help from an indigenous population. Second, the members of the Kurdish PJAK, including PJAK’s sympathizers and affiliates, have long fought for a greater Kurdistan against the Iranian regime.
There is probably no other better candidate who could help Israel against Tehran on the premise that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” The PJAK is a sworn enemy of Iranian regime.
Thus, the militant Kurds of PJAK would make perfect recruits for Israel and the U.S. to run covert operations inside Iran. In return, PJAK can get money, weapons, intelligence assistance and military training from the Mossad and other intelligence agencies, namely CIA of the U.S. and MI6 of Great Britain.

IB TIMES: Do Kurds generally have favorable views of Israel and the Jews?

ACHILOV: The ethnic Kurds are geographically dispersed (in and around Syria, Iraq, Iran and Turkey) and often have varying degrees of perceptions about life, statehood, religion, and attitudes toward the West, including Israel.
It is really hard to generalize perceptions on Israel. The perceptions are more mixed and divided than clear-cut. However, the leadership of both PJAK and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) – a Kurdish separatist group in long-term conflict with Turkey -- is widely believed to have strong ties to Israel.

IB TIMES: Do you think Mossad was also behind the attacks on nuclear facilities in Iraq and Syria in previous years?