The Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday evening that Israeli forces entered Syria to capture a terrorist operative who had been collaborating with Iranian agents. Ali Suleiman al-Aadi, a Syrian national residing in the southern town of Saida, was taken into custody by soldiers from the elite Egoz commando unit. 

The IDF claims that al-Aadi collected intelligence on Israeli forces near the border in anticipation of potential terrorist attacks. Al-Aad was under surveillance and is currently in Israel for interrogation, according to the IDF. “The IDF will continue to work for the security of the borders and will not allow the establishment of the Iranian axis and the directing of hostile sabotage activity from southern Syria,” the army said.

The IDF also shared video footage showing al-Aadi explaining to his interrogators how he was recruited by Iran. “We sat together on the fence. [He] looked around like this and said, ‘Your area is good from a strategic point of view. We could profit from it,'” al-Aadi said. The Iranian agent pretended to be a Syrian military intelligence officer who was intrigued about Israeli border patrol movements.

“He said he was from military intelligence, but in fact, Iran was behind him. From what I understand he belongs to Iran,” said al-Aadi. Iranian officials have increased their rhetoric about attacking in recent days following the October 26 Israeli Air Force strikes on military bases and air defence systems. “The enemies, both the US and the Zionist regime (Israel), should know that they will definitely receive a teeth-breaking response for what they are doing against Iran and the resistance front,” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini said on Saturday.

Reports from the Middle East suggest that Iran may plan its next attack before the U.S. elections on Tuesday, potentially involving allied groups in Iraq and Yemen. This information coincides with the Israeli Defense Forces’ announcement and the visit of U.S. Central Command’s Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla for discussions with Israeli military leaders. The U.S. has also positioned B-52 bombers in the region in response to the growing tensions.