Karim's face lost all color. The redder the face of the Supreme Leader became as he continued with his outburst, the paler Karim's face became. He knew that the Mullahs' regime didn't forgive and didn't forget anything that it considered offensive to the interests of Iran. He started to speak, but was cut short by the Supreme Leader, "I am not finished yet. The worst outcome of your stupid initiative is the effect it could have on Iran's international relations and its security. It took us a long time to arrive at the Nuclear Deal that was signed in Vienna, in 2015, by us and by the 'P5 plus one' countries on the other side. These countries, the US, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France as well as Germany, were duped by our brilliant diplomatic efforts. They focused on limiting our enrichment activities to obtain high enriched uranium, HEU, and plutonium from our small nuclear reactor in Arak. They were so intrigued by these activities that they totally ignored our research and development of rockets and accurate, long-range missiles, and, no less importantly, our support of terrorist organizations all over the Middle East. As you know, we have made great progress in both areas. Our missile-scientists have increased the range of our missiles and they are as accurate as those of any advanced weapon held by the superpowers. Our troops of IRG 'volunteers' and our Hezbollah allies in Lebanon, have saved Assad's regime in Syria and he knows that he owes his life to us. We have intervened in the Yemen and other countries that border on Saudi Arabia and threaten to topple its corrupt regime. We have supported anti-Western movements in Africa. We have done all this with impunity because everyone has judged us on one thing only — our adherence to the Nuclear Deal. Now, with your irresponsible and stupid act, Karim, you may have put all these achievements at risk. If Iran does possess a nuclear device, regardless if it was stolen or manufactured indigenously, our enemies will have grounds to cancel the Nuclear Deal. They may try to renew the economic sanctions that were lifted after we signed the agreement. They may even feel that they need to occupy Iran, just as they had occupied Iraq in 2003, and establish a democratic regime to replace our theocracy. Do you understand now what damage you have done?" The Supreme Leader didn't expect an answer. He made a dismissive sign with his right hand, and his bodyguards seized Karim and force-marched him away. Karim knew that he would be taken to Evin Prison never to be heard of again.
The Head of the IRG, who had witnessed the Supreme Leader's outburst, said, "Supreme Leader, the American President publicly announced that the US has withdrawn from the Nuclear Deal and that the economic sanctions will be imposed again."
The Supreme Leader answered, "The one-sided, illegitimate action by the irresponsible head of the current administration of the United States, reneging on the agreement signed by his predecessor, will give us justification to continue our nuclear program. The rest of the world will have no cause to condemn us for doing so — the US was the first to break the deal. There is a big difference between this and showing the whole world that we stole a nuclear weapon and brought it to our shores, as this stupid Karim has done".
The Supreme Leader told his two closest advisors, the Head of the IRG and the clergyman in charge of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security, to remain in the room. Everyone else, including the elected President and Prime Minister, left the room. The Supreme Leader said, "This is perhaps the most unexpected decision I have ever made or will ever make. Given the circumstances and our geo-political position, we cannot allow the nuclear warhead to reach our territory. If it is discovered here, as it surely will be considering Mossad's active role, it would put at risk our grand plan to clandestinely develop nuclear weapons. I emphasize — nuclear weapons in the plural — not a single outdated atom bomb."
The Head of the IRG asked for permission to speak, and when granted, he said, "From what I have heard of this device and its history, I am not sure that it will even work. Who knows what happened to the fissile material in the core after forty years and if the neutron source will even trigger the ancient device. I agree that it is certainly not worth the risk."
The Supreme Leader looked at him, "Just what I wanted to say. So, before you interrupt me again," the Head of the IRG stirred uncomfortably in his chair, "I was going to say something about my unexpected decision. I think that we need to leak information about the shipment of the nuke and make sure that it is seized. Ideally, this would occur on the high-seas and then we can protest that acts of piracy have been carried out against our peaceful vessels. We can even get some political gains from this sordid affair."
The Minister and IRG chief almost applauded the wisdom of the Supreme Leader and his far-sighted scheme. They stayed in conference a little longer to discuss the ways and means of leaking the information to Mossad and inducing it to commit an act of piracy and be condemned by the righteous international community.
Chapter 19
Mossad agents with connections in Iran got word about the fate of Karim. After receiving a broadly publicized hero's welcome for an undisclosed achievement, he was given an audience with the Supreme Leader. Photos of both men were distributed to the local media and press without giving any details of the reason for this honor. Then the man disappeared from the public's eye. There were unsubstantiated rumors that he was taken to the infamous Evin Prison and summarily executed.
David Avivi sat in one of the reclining chairs in the office of the Mossad Chief, Haim Shimony, who was seated facing him. The two men had worked together for many years and had a complete trust in each other. Shimony opened, "David, we have just received a private message from the Head of the Italian Intelligence Service, the AISI, thanking Mossad and you personally for avenging the destruction of Due Tori in Bologna." David nodded, and the Shimony winked and added, "Ah, yes, and he said that you are invited by the Head of the Bologna office, Julietta Pilati, I believe, to celebrate the success of the mission." David's face glowed red, and Shimony couldn't refrain from laughing at his friend's reaction. Then, in a more serious tone he continued, "Eugene Powers called my office and said that the assignment will be completed only when the nuke is in safe hands, meaning in the custody of the United States National Nuclear Security Administration. The NNSA is deeply concerned that the nuke will reach Iran and be used against their forces, or ours."