Explosive Accusations: Iran Claims Israel Sabotaged Ballistic Missile Program with Faulty Parts

 In a recent report aired on Iranian state television, Iran has accused Israel of attempting to sabotage its ballistic missile program by providing faulty foreign parts that have the potential to explode, thus damaging or destroying the weapons before they can be utilized. The report describes this alleged operation as one of the largest attempts at sabotage ever seen, with Israeli Mossad agents being accused of supplying these low-price connectors. Footage shown on state TV revealed the alleged parts, some of which were seen popping up into the air, suggesting the presence of an explosive. These military-style, high-density circular electrical connectors are commonly used to attach electronic components of a missile or a drone, including the guidance computer, and allow the flow of electricity and signals.

Previous videos released by Iran have shown missile scientists working with similar connectors. The report does not clarify why Iran opted to purchase these connectors from abroad, but some Iranian websites advertising such connectors suggest that Russian-made ones are considered the best in the market. However, Russian electronics, crucial for missile systems, have been affected by international sanctions due to Russia's war on Ukraine. Iranian-made drones, used by Russia in the war, also reportedly utilize circular connectors. It remains unclear when Iranian authorities discovered the faulty parts and whether they had been installed in any ballistic missile previously.

However, this accusation comes in the wake of previous incidents such as an explosion at the Parchin military and weapons development base in May 2022, which resulted in the death of an engineer and the injury of another. Iran has also experienced other blasts in its space program, leading to criticism from the United States regarding Tehran's advancements in its ballistic missile program. This allegation further adds to the existing suspicions surrounding Israel's involvement in a series of targeted killings in Iran and previous sabotage attacks that damaged Iranian nuclear sites.

The Stuxnet computer virus, which caused uranium centrifuges to spin out of control and destroy themselves, was widely attributed to America and Israel by experts, as well as Iran. Israel's prime minister's office has declined to comment on these allegations, which come at a time when both Israel and the United States have been making continuous efforts to target Iran. Additionally, the increasing prominence of drones, particularly in Russia's war on Ukraine, has further raised concerns regarding their association with Iran's extensive arsenal. As the tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States persist, the international community remains watchful of potential developments and the implications they may have on regional stability.