This is a report on what is most likely to happen in Iran, as early as this weekend, according to Israeli insiders and American officials I’ve relied upon for decades. It will entail heavy American bombing. I have vetted this report with a longtime US official in Washington, who told me that all will be “under control” if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “departs.” Just how that might happen, short of his assassination, is not known. There has been a great deal of talk about American firepower and targets inside Iran, but little practical thinking, as far I can tell, about how to remove a revered religious leader with an enormous following.
I have reported from afar on the nuclear and foreign policy of Israel for decades. My 1991 book The Samson Option told the story of the making of the Israeli nuclear bomb and America’s willingness to keep the project secret. The most important unanswered question about the current situation will be the response of the world, including that of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who has been an ally of Iran’s leaders.
The United States remains Israel’s most important ally, although many here and around the world abhor Israel’s continuing murderous war in Gaza. The Trump administration is in full support of Israel’s current plan to rid Iran of any trace of a nuclear weapons program while hoping the ayatollah-led government in Tehran will be overthrown.
Allegedly, President Donald Trump is waiting for the weekend to strike so that Wall Street doesn’t freak out and crash the markets. The question now becomes, will this happen, or is it overblown?
Trump’s been manipulating the stockmarkets via his Tariff threats. I’m not so sure he’s concerned about the markets, but, maybe?
One of the key targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment site, which is home to centrifuges buried roughly 80 meters underground. The plan reportedly involves U.S. bunker bombs capable of penetrating those depths.
Hersh says the operation was delayed until the weekend to “diminish shock” as Wall Street markets open Monday.
Fordow recently produced nearly 900 pounds of 60% enriched uranium, just shy of weapons-grade. Hersh reports the U.S. bombers will strike it this weekend after picking up the help of regional military assets spread across the Middle East.
Seymour Hersh: Rising Tensions and Global Implications
The risk here is immense. Even if Trump waits until the weekend, crypto could tank as it is a 24/7 market.
Moreover, past regime overthrows in Libya and Syria show how rapid military intervention can lead to long-term instability. Removing Khamenei or the Revolutionary Guard could push Iran into chaos.
With one last round of peace talks today, what transpires over the next 48 hours will have lifelong consequences for the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Israeli officials appear to hope the strikes will spark internal unrest and perhaps even an uprising from minority groups like the Azeris, Kurds, Arabs, or Baluchis. Some in U.S. planning reportedly believe striking Iran will only lead to more problems.
Kurds & Baluchis, definitely possible. Both proxy groups are backed by the US. Both have agitated in Iran for years. Baluchis also terrorize Pakistan.