by Jason Kramer
Chapter 13
1600Z: Natanz: Iran
“Guard, tell Colonel Radan that I would like to meet with him”, Yosef says.
Yosef and the other hostages have been confined for three days and are beginning to feel very restless. The IRGC guard comes back to the holding room and tells Yosef that Colonel Radan will see him. The guard shackles Yosef and he is led down the hallway to the other end of the underground support building.
Yosef can hear the sound of the thousands of centrifuges that are enriching the uranium in the adjoining buildings. Most of the workers in the underground facilities are wearing white protective clothing and masks but the Israelis are not offered any protection.
In Colonel Radan’s office, the Captain of the Guards is conferring with the Colonel about the arrival of the additional Pasdaran from the Isfahan province. They are making plans for the housing and deployment of the additional soldiers.
“Captain, I want you to make sure that the new men are given proper facilities at the temporary barracks. Have additional guards distributed around the inside of the compound. The Air Defense Forces command has taken authority of the outside perimeter. We know that the Israelis are coming but we don’t know when. They may come in an aerial attack. I do not see how they will be able to get through our air defenses. But we know they will try. Any rescue attempt would be suicidal but we know that these Israelis will sacrifice everything to save their country. They may not even try to rescue these men. Holding these men as hostages will not deter the Israelis from an aerial attack,” explains Colonel Radan.
He does not say it but in his mind, he knows that most of the Iranian leaders do not understand this about the Israelis and that something bad is going to happen.
The Captain replies, “Our Supreme Leader tells us that the new missile defense systems should take care of any aerial threat.”
Colonel Radan seems to pause to contemplate this statement then says, “We shall see.”
Yosef is led into Colonel Radan’s office. The colonel dismisses the Captain of the Guards. He does not want the Captain to hear the conversation between the Israeli and himself. “Yosef, have a seat…what is on your mind?”
This time Yosef takes a seat in front of the Colonel’s desk. “Colonel Radan, the men need some exercise. We have been locked up for three days and are becoming very restless. You said that you needed my help to keep the men from being harmed. We need to get out of that room and get some fresh air,” explains Yosef.
Yosef knows that if he and his men can get outside, the surveillance satellites will be able to see their location. He also knows that if Colonel Radan agrees to this request, he maybe someone that can be trusted as a reliable officer.
“Yosef, I understand your request and will take it into consideration. As a soldier, you understand the security issues that are involved with such a request. I understand what you are requesting. I thank you for your assistance in keeping the peace among your men. I personally have no quarrel with you or your country. I am just following orders. I will do my best to accommodate your request but please be patient. I will work something out and get back to you,” replies Colonel Radan.
“Thank you, sir,” says Yosef as a show of respect from one officer to another. He is taken back to the holding room. As he is pondering this indication of this officer’s integrity, he thinks about his country and its probable response. He knows that they must be planning something which will include the destruction of this facility. What can he do to help this plan and hopefully survive to see his family again?
Colonel Radan thinks about Yosef’s request. He knows that this is a reasonable request but it has many potential negative consequences associated with it. He did ask for Yosef’s help in controlling the behavior of the captives so he can’t refuse the request. How will he respond since there are no exercise facilities within the underground laboratories and support building? If he allows the Israelis outside during the day, they may be observed by the American satellites that are certainly watching. If he allows them outside at night, the risks of escape are increased. He decides to let the Israelis outside to exercise during the daylight hours to be able to control the situation. He is sure that the Americans and Israelis know that the engineers are at Natanz so there is not much reason to try and hide them.
Colonel Radan calls for the Captain to come back into his office, “Captain, I am authorizing you to take the prisoners outside for some exercise. Find a secure place to let them get some fresh air and exercise. Find something distinguishable for them to wear so that you can keep track of them.”
“Yes Sir, Colonel,” replies the Captain. “Colonel, I think that I can find something that the prisoners can wear to help us keep track of them,” replies the Captain.
He is not sure that this is a good idea but it is his orders. He leaves Colonel Radan office.
Colonel Radan suspects that the PMOI/MKO has operatives working at Natanz and they are probably reporting everyday to the American and Israeli intelligence agents in the country. He is not a criminal and these men are not prisoners of war. He is trying to keep peace and order among the captives and preventing escape. At the same time, he has a dilemma trying to do his duty as a commander or keep his integrity and honor as an officer. Which one should he decide to do?
