 |
| Smoke rises after an Israeli missile strike in Iran | Photo: Reuters |
Throughout the intense 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, the Israeli military launched relentless attacks using hundreds of fighter jets, armed drones, and missiles. However, what reportedly gave Israel its biggest advantage was a covert strategy — infiltrating deep inside Iran to conduct secret operations on the ground.
According to reports, before dawn on June 13, Israeli forces and the intelligence agency Mossad began a series of coordinated assaults inside Iran. Just hours later, video footage began circulating, appearing to show nighttime operations filmed from undisclosed locations within Iran.
In one blurry video, Mossad operatives in camouflage with night-vision goggles and advanced equipment were seen setting up weapon systems in a desert-like area. These weapons reportedly targeted Iran’s air defense systems to clear the skies for incoming Israeli fighter jets.
Other footage captured missile strikes - believed to be Spike missiles - hitting Iran’s missile defense batteries and ballistic missile launch platforms. These smaller, precision-guided missiles are designed to destroy enemy weapons from beyond the line of sight.
Iranian state media later acknowledged these attacks, publishing images of destroyed Spike missile launchers and confirming that the weapons used were equipped with internet-based automated systems and remote-control technology, operated by Mossad agents.
This operation closely resembled a high-profile Israeli mission from November 2020, when Iran’s top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was assassinated near Tehran. At the time, Iranian officials confirmed that the killing was carried out using AI-controlled, remote-operated weaponry smuggled into Iran in parts and assembled inside the country.
Last Wednesday, Iran executed three individuals accused of involvement in Fakhrizadeh’s assassination and other espionage operations.
Israel’s Drone Warfare Inside Iran
 |
| The wreckage of an Israeli drone shot down by Iran in the recent conflict | Photo: AFP |
During the 12-day war, Israel reportedly deployed dozens of small explosive-laden drones and quadcopters as part of its strategy to overwhelm Iran’s air defenses. Iranian media outlets reported that larger drones, such as the Hermes 900, were also intercepted by Iran’s air defense systems, though the exact number launched remains unclear.
The use of small drones drew significant attention, forcing Iranian authorities to launch widespread searches. Security forces discovered specially modified pickup trucks designed to covertly transport and deploy these drones close to targets.
Iranian security teams, often on motorcycles and in vehicles, patrolled roads at night to track these trucks. Armed and masked security officers set up numerous checkpoints across Tehran and other cities, stopping cargo vehicles with covered beds for inspection.
Israeli sources claim Mossad had spent years establishing covert drone manufacturing and weapons workshops inside Iran. One such factory was reportedly found in Shahre Rey, south of Tehran, where drones, improvised explosives, and a stockpile of bombs were being produced.
Iranian state TV also aired footage of six alleged Mossad agents assembling quadcopters armed with small bombs and explosives. Some vehicles rigged with explosives were also discovered, though officials have yet to confirm this officially.
 |
| Iranian state television building damaged in Israeli missile attack | Photo: Reuters |
In the broadcast, several suspects were shown blindfolded and confessing under interrogation. Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Tehran’s chief prosecutor, Ali Salehi, were seen questioning one detainee, who admitted trying to film Iran’s air defense systems from rooftops on Mossad’s orders.
“We Are All Under Surveillance”
In a video statement on Wednesday, Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi said, “Our commando units operated deep inside enemy territory. These operations allowed us to carry out independent strikes.” He did not clarify whether he was referring to the initial nighttime operation or subsequent missions.
While Iranian officials have not directly commented on reports of Israeli commando raids inside the country, they confirmed the arrest of dozens of individuals accused of collaborating with Israel and the U.S. Since the conflict began, at least six people have been executed on related charges.
On June 13, Israel carried out a massive air and missile assault on Tehran, killing several top Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists. Mossad’s covert intelligence operations inside Iran reportedly played a crucial role in the success of these attacks, including disabling key air defense systems and targeting missile launch sites.
Pro-Israel hacking groups also launched large-scale cyberattacks, temporarily shutting down Iran’s two largest banks and a major cryptocurrency exchange.
Earlier this week, Iranian state TV aired a video of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace chief Amir Ali Hajizadeh warning, “Mossad is monitoring us through mobile phones and communication devices.” He reportedly made the statement shortly before being killed in a bunker near Tehran during a high-level meeting.
Following the attacks, Iran temporarily shut down internet services across the country, with internet monitoring agency NetBlocks reporting that 97% of connections were cut nationwide.