Former Mossad Official Warns Turkey Has Become Terrorism’s Key Logistics Hub

Dr. Udi Levi, former head of the Mossad’s economic warfare unit, spoke at an ICT conference at Reichman University and in a 103fm interview about the evolving US strategy against Iran and the growing Turkish threat. He highlighted a significant strategic shift under President Trump from conventional military action to extensive economic warfare targeting Tehran. Levi criticized past sanctions enforcement as weak and stressed that the current test lies in whether the US will rigorously implement these measures, including pressuring countries like Britain, Turkey, China, and Russia that maintain financial ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

Levi also addressed the challenges of enforcing sanctions in the realm of cryptocurrencies and revealed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are quietly developing new oil transport and storage channels in Asia to circumvent threats in the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding Iran’s likely response ahead of the US midterm elections, Levi predicted aggressive retaliatory attacks on Gulf states’ oil infrastructure, internet cables, and even European targets, aiming to force international pressure on Washington to negotiate.

Turning to Turkey, Levi described it as a far more dangerous actor than Qatar, noting its NATO membership and role as a major logistical base for terrorist and criminal organizations, including support for Iran and Qatar. Despite political complexities, he argued Israel has significant economic vulnerabilities to exploit in Turkey, especially through cyber and cryptocurrency capabilities, which could deliver impactful damage beyond traditional military strikes.

Levi concluded by urging Israel to reinvest in "soft warfare", encompassing legal, economic, cyber, and public awareness domains, which he said Israel currently neglects in favor of kinetic military approaches. He emphasized that this non-conventional warfare is critical and painful for Israel and must become a strategic priority.