Israeli embassy personnel in India and Georgia targeted
The fact that the attempted bombings came on the anniversary of the assassination of Hezb'allah operations chief Imad Moughniyeh points to Iran as the probable culprit. if true, the attacks may also be retaliation for the recent deaths of Iranian nuclear scientists.
Bombers targeted staff at Israel's embassies in India and Georgia on Monday, wounding four people, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah of involvement.
The New Delhi bomb wrecked a vehicle with diplomatic plates and Israel's parliamentary television channel said the wife of Israel's Defence attache and her driver were among four people hurt. The Tbilisi bomb was defused safely by Georgian police.
Israel had put its foreign missions on especially high alert ahead of the February 12 anniversary of the assassination, in 2008, of the military mastermind of Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas, Imad Moughniyeh.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah had vowed to avenge Moughniyeh's death in a Damascus car-bombing, blaming it on the Jewish state.
Israel is also believed to be locked in a wider covert war with Iran, whose nuclear program has been beset by sabotage, including the unclaimed killings of several scientists.
"Iran, which stands behind these attacks, is the largest exporter of terror in the world," Netanyahu told lawmakers from his Likud party in Jerusalem.
He linked the incidents to allegations of similar but foiled attacks in Thailand and Azerbaijan last month for which, he said, Iran and its "proxy" Hezbollah were responsible.
Hezb'allah has been keeping busy lately. They are apparently advising Syria on how to crush the rebellion against President Assad. They have also been more active in Latin America as well as moving into Mexico and Central America to establish a foothold.
They are now the principle means by which Iran extends its influence - and terror - throughout the world. As their reach grows, Israeli outposts will be in greater danger.