Israeli officials deny killing alleged spy IRGC colonel who ‘fell off roof’ – report
Officials tell NYT Israel didn’t kill officer suspected of providing intel that led to colleague’s slaying; report comes as it emerges Iran scientist died in unclear circumstances
Two senior Israeli defense officials have reportedly said Israel did not kill the colonel of the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards who was reportedly suspected of providing information that led to the assassination of a colleague, allegedly by Israel.
Col. Ali Esmailzadeh’s death, reported for the first time on Friday, was the second in two weeks from the unit which oversees Iran’s military operations abroad.
The officials spoke to The New York Times in a report published Saturday, a day after an Iranian opposition website, quoting unnamed sources, alleged that the IRGC had killed Esmailzadeh for espionage.
The Israeli officials who denied Israel had killed Esmailzadeh spoke with The New York Times on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter on the record.
The Revolutionary Guards have not issued a statement or offered public condolences to Esmailzadeh’s family since his death, The New York Times said, noting that this was unusual.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-officials-deny-killing-alleged-spy-irgc-colonel-who-fell-off-roof-report/