In a dramatic escalation of its long-running covert conflict with Iran, Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency successfully smuggled precision weapons and explosive drones deep into Iranian territory ahead of the unprecedented airstrikes on Friday, according to a senior Israeli security official.
The revelation, shared with CNN, marks a stunning insight into Israel’s covert capabilities and the level of planning behind the coordinated strike that rocked Tehran and surrounding military zones, killing top commanders and targeting sensitive air-defense systems.
“A base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran, and those drones were activated during Friday’s attack to target missile launchers near Tehran,” the official confirmed.
Weapons Smuggled, Targets Neutralized
According to the Israeli source, Mossad operatives not only infiltrated the country with armed drones but also smuggled precision-guided weaponry into central Iran, positioning them within range of key surface-to-air missile systems. These weapons were reportedly launched in coordination with Israel’s F-35 fighter jets, which simultaneously targeted nuclear and military facilities across multiple provinces.
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In addition, mobile strike systems were said to have been embedded in civilian vehicles, allowing for sudden deployment and maximum surprise—a tactic Israeli officials claimed left Iranian defenses confused and overwhelmed.
Security experts say this method mirrors Mossad’s signature style: low-visibility, high-impact operations combining espionage, infiltration, and technological superiority.
Strategic Shockwaves: A Turning Point in the Israel-Iran Shadow War
Friday’s strike, already described by analysts as “the most daring Israeli military action in decades,” appears to be part of a larger strategy to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military deterrence capacity from within—a strategy that is now known to include internal sabotage.
This operation, according to geopolitical observers, signals a shift from traditional air campaigns to hybrid warfare involving local sleeper cells, cyber operations, and now internal drone launches.
“This isn’t just an airstrike. It’s a multi-layered strategic assault designed to shake Iran’s defensive foundation from the inside out,” said Michael Steiner, a former UN nuclear non-proliferation advisor.
As part of a sweeping military campaign, Israel’s Mossad carried out covert sabotage operations deep inside Iran, targeting air defense systems and long-range missile infrastructure. These secret missions ran in parallel with widespread Israeli airstrikes that hit dozens of nuclear and military sites across the country.
Iranian military commanders were among the key targets, as strategic locations from Tehran to remote provinces were struck. Axios journalist Barak Ravid confirmed Mossad’s role in disrupting Iranian defenses just before the aerial assault. The scale and coordination of the strikes mark one of Israel’s most aggressive operations in recent memory. With tensions at a breaking point, Israel now braces for an expected and potentially massive retaliation from Tehran.
Casualties and Consequences
Friday’s attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior commanders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, key missile defense officers, and nuclear research scientists, marking a devastating blow to Iran’s strategic command.
Satellite imagery reviewed by independent analysts confirmed severe structural damage to facilities near Parchin, Natanz, and Tehran’s western defense ring—areas known to house sensitive missile systems and drone production lines.
Iran has yet to release an official death toll but has vowed “forceful retaliation.” Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the strike “an act of state-sponsored terrorism.”