Iran has intensified its efforts to identify and dismantle alleged Mossad spy networks following recent Israeli covert operations and airstrikes—raising the stakes in a shadow war of espionage and sabotage.
At a Glance
- Iran executed at least two alleged Mossad informants accused of aiding Israeli strikes
- Newsweek reports a nationwide manhunt targeting suspected Mossad operatives
- Mossad allegedly used smuggled drones and internal sabotage ahead of Israeli airstrikes
- Iranian officials linked sabotage to strikes on IRGC air defenses and nuclear sites
- Tehran is now executing suspects and mobilizing counterintelligence networks
Executions Signal Escalation
According to Newsweek, Iran executed at least two individuals in 2025 for alleged Mossad espionage. One suspect, Pedram Madani, was accused of transmitting IRGC infrastructure intelligence used in Israeli strikes. Iran’s judiciary portrayed the executions as a warning to domestic collaborators and a national security priority amid mounting external threats.
Mossad’s Covert Campaign Inside Iran
Israeli intelligence reportedly launched pre-strike operations under the codename “Operation Rising Lion,” involving smuggled drones and sabotage of Iranian missile launchers and air defense systems. As detailed in The New York Post, Mossad agents embedded inside Iran used fake meetings, secure communications, and explosive devices to disable key targets, laying the groundwork for a wave of IDF airstrikes on more than 100 sites.
Intelligence War Becomes Frontline
Iran has now launched a nationwide manhunt for remaining Israeli operatives. Intelligence units have been redeployed across regions where drones or sabotage were detected. In some cases, Iran has appealed to local communities for tips about suspicious activity. This response signals a shift from conventional retaliation to intensive counterintelligence mobilization.
The Wall Street Journal confirmed that Mossad operations in Iran had expanded significantly in early 2025, marking an unprecedented reach for Israeli espionage.
As the Israel–Iran conflict intensifies, the spy war between their intelligence services is no longer confined to the shadows—it’s now a central battleground that could shape the next phase of regional escalation.
