CIA Asks Israel to Spare Select Iranian Officials from Elimination

The CIA has provided Israel with a restricted list of five to ten Iranian officials who must not be targeted for assassination, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

According to the report, these individuals within the Iranian apparatus are assessed by U.S. intelligence as potentially playing a central role in the country's future. Washington reportedly believes some of these figures could integrate into a future governing structure in Iran.

The transmission of this list to Israel indicates that the U.S. intelligence community is already identifying specific figures within the Iranian power structure as potential future leaders in the event of regime change.

The objective is to preserve elements viewed by the U.S. as capable of participating in a future, different Iran that would act more moderately and normally toward the West.