How Israel's Mossad spy network infiltrated the heart of Iran before unprecedented attack wreaked havoc on air defense, missile infrastructure
Israeli spies infiltrated the heart of Iran before Friday morning's Operation 'Rising Lion' airstrikes and damaged the country's missile infrastructure and air defenses in a series of covert operations.
Intelligence agents with Israel's Mossad smuggled in weaponry that destroyed defense measures inside Iran, which threatened Israeli military capabilities.
Agents deployed 'significant measures' on large quantities of special weaponry and deployed them across Iran, targeting designated areas, an Israeli security source told The Post.
5 An explosion from an Israeli airstrike on Iran during Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025.
IDF
'Significant intelligence was gathered and surveillance was conducted to incriminate senior members of the Iranian defense establishment and nuclear scientists who were eliminated,' the source said. 'This was carried out alongside a covert operational campaign targeting Iran's strategic missile array.'
The stealth campaign was conducted in three separate operations at the same time as Israel launched its airstrike, each targeting specific weaponry and defense systems in Iran.
Commando units deployed precision-guided weapons near Iran's surface-to-air missile defenses and targeted the Iranian systems.
A second operation set up strike systems and mounted technology onto vehicles that were launched at Iranian air defense systems.
The final operation targeted Iran's surface-to-surface missile launchers at a base outside of Tehran.
5 A map of Iran where Israel's airstrikes struck on June 13, 2025.
5 The Israeli air strikes targets a truck in Iran.
IDF
Explosive-laden drones had been smuggled in and stashed in the heart of Iran before the unmanned aerial vehicles flew to the base and destroyed the launchers that had 'posed a threat to Israeli strategic and civilian targets.'
The sabotage operations allowed Israel's airstrikes to destroy radars and other surface-to-air defenses.
Nuclear plants and uranium enrichment facilities were also targeted.
5 An explosion from an Israeli airstrike on Iran's weapon cache.
IDF
5 The logo of Israel's Mossad is displayed in front of an Israeli flag.
REUTERS
Three high-ranked Iranian officials were killed in the operation along with at least two scientists.
Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of the country's military, and advisor to the supreme leader advisor Ali Shamkhani, are believed to have been killed in the barrage, according to the Times of Israel.
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New York Times
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35 minutes ago
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Iranian air defenses are firing against Israeli attacks The sound of explosions and Iranian air defense systems firing at targets was echoing across the center of the capital, Tehran, shortly after midnight on Saturday. Additionally, an Associated Press reporter could hear air raid sirens near their home. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
