Iran Escalates Hunt for Mossad Spies Under Israeli Attack
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Iranian authorities announced the arrest of several suspected Israeli Mossad operatives since Israel's strikes on military and nuclear sites as well as the execution of one formerly convicted spy, saying it was carrying out raids to counter foreign intelligence threats inside the country, Iranian state media reported.
Newsweek has reached out to office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to the Iranian foreign ministry for comment.
Why It Matters
The announcement of intensified efforts against foreign spies come after Iran suffered heavy blows by Israeli forces, who eliminated the top of its military leadership as well as several nuclear scientists and struck its armed forces, its nuclear program and a number of other official sites.
Demonstrators wave Iranian flags and hold posters of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike in Iraq in 2020, in front of a model of Jerusalem's Dome...
Demonstrators wave Iranian flags and hold posters of the late Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. strike in Iraq in 2020, in front of a model of Jerusalem's Dome of the Rock mosque during a rally marking the Muslim Shiite holiday of Eid al-Ghadir, which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad naming his successor, Ali, who is revered as the first Shiite imam, in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, June 14, 2025. More
Vahid Salemi/AP Photo
What To Know
Two alleged Mossad spies were arrested in Tehran and were found in possession of large amounts of explosives and drone equipment, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported on Monday. In Alborz province, police said two were arrested a day earlier and accused them of producing explosives.
Meanwhile on Sunday, a man identified as Esmaeil Fekri was hanged. Arrested in 2023, Fekri was charged with attempting to transmit information strategic site location and personnel details in communication with Mossad operatives, the agency reported. At least two more were executed on similar spying charges in 2025, the news agency said.
Mossad agents deployed inside Iran planted explosive drones and launched precision strikes on missile defenses near Tehran to clear the way for Israeli jets ahead of the recent strikes, several media cited unnamed Israeli security officials as saying. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that agents smuggled parts for hundreds of explosive-laden quadcopter drones and unmanned munitions into Iran over several months, according to insiders.
Days before the Israeli offensive, Iran said it had acquired classified documents on Israel's nuclear program, with Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh saying the move demonstrated Iran's "intelligence superiority" over Israel and praised Iranian "infiltration capabilities."
"This brilliant victory... not only shattered the fabricated myth of Mossad but also dismantled the pretentious façade of the sinister Zionist regime's security structure, delivering yet another strong blow to its hollow hegemony," he was quoted as saying by IRNA. Iran did not release the documents as it threatened.
What People Are Saying
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday: "We paved the way to Tehran and our pilots over the skies of Tehran will deal blows to the Ayatollah regime that they cannot even imagine."
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps in statement Sunday, according to Tasnim News Agency: "This is just the beginning of the course of 'national revenge'. The Zionist regime must bear in mind that the era of unpunished crimes has ended."
What Happens Next
The conflict continues to escalate as Israel said it will carry on with strikes against Iran while Iran has vowed more missile attacks on Israel.
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