The recent Israeli offensive against Iran on June 13 has spotlighted the staggering depth of Mossad’s clandestine operations, which appear to have effectively neutralized Iran’s air defences from within—well before the first warplane left Israeli airspace. The scale and sophistication of the operation suggest that Israel’s intelligence agency had laid the groundwork for years, using deception, infiltration, and advanced technology to dismantle Iran’s ability to resist.
Mossad's Deep Penetration into Iran
The claim made in 2021 by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad—that the head of Iran’s counter-Mossad unit was actually a Mossad agent—now resonates ominously. In hindsight, it seems less like hyperbole and more like a stark revelation of the Islamic Republic’s vulnerabilities. Reports suggest that Mossad, through multi-year efforts, infiltrated key military zones, deployed covert teams, and smuggled armed drones and high-tech weapons into Iran using deceptive tactics.
According to The Economist and Wall Street Journal, Mossad:
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Smuggled drone parts and precision munitions hidden in everyday cargo like suitcases and containers.
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Set up a covert launch base near Tehran, enabling drone strikes from within Iran.
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Used AI and satellite data to pinpoint high-value Iranian nuclear and military targets.
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Coordinated small sabotage teams, which crippled anti-aircraft systems and destroyed missile launchers just as Israeli jets began their bombing runs.
This level of penetration is seen as unprecedented. Former Israeli intelligence sources described it as the “deepest we’ve ever operated inside Iran.” It resulted in what Israeli military officials called “aerial freedom of action”, enabling waves of Israeli bombers to attack nuclear infrastructure largely unchallenged.
Intelligence Triumph or Iranian Collapse?
The inability of Tehran to prevent, or even anticipate, this level of infiltration marks a significant intelligence failure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other officials have shifted the focus from denial to retaliation, but have not refuted the infiltration itself. State media has confirmed the arrest and, in some cases, execution of suspected Mossad operatives—a chilling indicator that internal paranoia is intensifying.
Even more telling is the reference by former intelligence minister Ali Younesi, who once warned:
“Mossad is closer to us than our own ears.”
This now appears prophetic.
Covert Operations Beyond Iran
Mossad’s reach isn’t limited to Iran. The agency has also:
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Detonated pagers used by Hezbollah in a 2024 cyberattack, killing dozens.
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Assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran via a drone strike.
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Staged sabotage campaigns across Syria and Lebanon targeting Iran-backed forces.
Each of these operations demonstrates Israel’s long-standing strategy: sustained infiltration, strategic deception, and highly focused kinetic strikes.
The US Role: Operation 'Midnight Hammer'
A week after Israel's 'Rising Lion' operation, the United States joined in, striking Iranian nuclear sites like Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow on June 22. US President Donald Trump declared these facilities “totally obliterated.” This was part of Operation Midnight Hammer, a direct military escalation that further cornered Iran and pushed regional tensions into dangerous territory.
While Trump later claimed a ceasefire was in place between Israel and Iran, the accuracy and stability of that claim remain disputed, especially as Iran continued to fire cruise missiles and vow revenge. The sheer magnitude of the Israeli prelude, however, has left Iran reeling and the world on edge.
The Fallout
The long-term implications are severe:
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Middle East stability is under direct threat, with the potential for a wider war involving Lebanon, Syria, and possibly Gulf states.
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Oil prices have surged, reflecting fears of supply disruptions.
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Intelligence warfare will likely intensify, with Iran ramping up counterintelligence efforts amid fears of further Mossad infiltration.
In short, the June 13 operation has done more than damage physical infrastructure. It has exposed the deep psychological and operational cracks within Iran’s military establishment and cemented Mossad’s reputation as one of the most effective—and fearsome—intelligence agencies in the world.
