[marron]

“could be taken as a sign that Western intelligence agencies have managed to infiltrate the once seemingly impenetrable walls of Iran’s intelligence operations abroad.”

Israeli, maybe. "Western", no. CIA couldn't keep that kind of a secret, they'd have it on page one of the Times.

Saudis? Maybe, payback for a favor. What favor?

[Shermy]

“Saudis? Maybe, payback for a favor. What favor?”

Iran embarassed Saudi by scuttling Palestinian peace and prisoner trade deals.

Assad has openly said he is siding with the Persians. (To Sunnis Assad is an apostate Alawite, something like Shiite-lite.)