Israeli diplomats target of Bangkok bombers
A group that set off explosions in Bangkok this week intended to strike Israeli diplomats, a Thai police official said, intensifying a heated argument between Israel and Iran about a string of bombings in different countries.
Israel and Iran have traded accusations over attacks in Thailand, India and Georgia, with Israel pointing fingers at Tehran and the Iranian regime calling such claims a “prelude” to an Israeli attack.
“I can tell you that the target of the operation of this group is specifically aimed at Israeli diplomats,” Police Gen. Priewpan Damapong said late Wednesday in an interview with CNN affiliate Channel 3.
His comments came after a senior Thai security official had drawn a tentative link between the Bangkok blasts and the attacks aimed at Israeli officials in India and Georgia, saying the materials used in the explosive devices were similar.
Two men allegedly involved in the Bangkok blasts have been arrested in Thailand and charged, the authorities said Wednesday.
Authorities arrested a third suspect in Malaysia and Thai police will send an arrest warrant to seek his extradition, said Col. Piya Uthayo, a police spokesman.
Thai officials have also issued an arrest warrant for a woman who is believed to have left Thailand. Israeli officials have bluntly accused Tehran of the attacks.
“Iran is a threat to the stability of the world. They are targeting innocent diplomats,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The international community has to denounce the Iranian actions and to indicate red lines concerning the Iranian aggression.”
The attacks and accusations come amid high tensions between Israel and Iran. Israel had made clear it is considering attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israel, the United States and other countries are concerned Iran is building nuclear weaponry, despite Tehran’s insistence that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes.
Iranian officials openly antagonize Israel, and Israeli officials have described the regime in Tehran as an existential threat.
– CNN
