Israel accuses Iran of being behind sabotage ahead of Olympics in France
Israel's Foreign Minister also asserted that Tehran is planning a terrorist attack at the Olympics.
RT reported on July 27 that Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on July 26 that Iran had staged sabotage attacks on France's high-speed rail network, paralyzing traffic ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
“The sabotage of railway infrastructure across France ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics was planned and carried out under the influence of the axis of evil and radical Islam from Iran,” Mr. Katz wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter).
Katz added that he had warned French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne that “based on information that Israel has, the Iranians are planning a terrorist attack against the Israeli delegation and all participants in the Olympics.”
“It is necessary to strengthen preventive measures to prevent their plots,” he wrote.
Earlier on July 26, the French national railway company SNCF said that vandals had set fire to signal boxes along lines connecting Paris with several major cities, including Lille, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. The company said the "major attack" disrupted transport ahead of the Olympics and led to delays and cancellations, affecting 800,000 passengers over the weekend.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said on July 26 that "the acts of sabotage against SNCF facilities were carried out in a planned and coordinated manner." He wrote on X that intelligence agencies and police had been mobilized to find the perpetrators.
French Foreign Minister Sejourne reiterated that Israeli athletes are “welcome in France”, despite tensions surrounding the Gaza war and pro-Palestinian protests. France 24 reported that the Israeli delegation had 24-hour protection with increased police escort.
Meanwhile, according to The Telegraph, Israel will send armed Shin Bet agents to Paris to step up security for its Olympic athletes and officials.
