By the time Israeli fighter jets lit up Iranian skies last Friday, the real battle had already been underway for years — fought not by soldiers in uniform, but by covert operatives, drones, remote-controlled weapons, and the long arm of Mossad.

The recent airstrikes — more than 100 carried out by over 200 aircraft — targeted Iran’s missile infrastructure, top military leaders, and even nuclear scientists. But what made the assault so devastating wasn’t just Israel’s military power. It was the fact that much of the operation was launched from inside Iran itself, with Mossad agents having smuggled in weapons, sabotaged air defenses, and helped clear a path for the air force from within enemy territory.

Mossad’s Footprint on the Ground — and in the Sky

According to Israeli security officials, Mossad agents began preparing the battlefield long before the first planes took off. Explosive drones were launched from an internal base reportedly set up inside Iran. These drones struck missile launchers near Tehran and other targets critical to Iran’s air defense. Meanwhile, commando teams placed precision-guided weapons next to missile systems — ensuring that, when the Israeli Air Force began its bombardment, the path was clear.

All Israeli aircraft returned safely — a signal of how effective the covert groundwork had been. The operation, Israeli officials said, required agents and commandos to infiltrate deep into Iranian territory — including the capital — without detection by the country’s powerful but apparently outmaneuvered security agencies.

In a rare move, the Mossad even released video from the drone strikes, showing the moment Iranian missile batteries were taken out. It was part intelligence coup, part psychological warfare.

A Shadow War That’s No Longer in the Shadows

While this week’s operation marked a new level of intensity, Israel’s shadow war with Iran is not new. For nearly two decades, Mossad has quietly — and sometimes very publicly — waged a campaign of assassinations, sabotage, and intelligence theft aimed at slowing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and undermining its military capabilities.

Holly Dagres, an Iran expert at the Washington Institute, put it bluntly: “Mossad has treated Iran like its playground for years. From assassinating top nuclear scientists to sabotaging nuclear facilities, Israel has proved time and again that it holds the upper hand.”

The list of past Mossad operations reads like a spy thriller — except it’s all real.

Assassinations of Nuclear Scientists

Between 2007 and 2012, five Iranian nuclear scientists were assassinated in Tehran — most of them in broad daylight, and all using sophisticated remote-controlled bombs or guns. Iran blamed Israel, and while Israel never officially confirmed responsibility, former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon famously quipped in 2015 that Israel “cannot be held responsible for the life expectancy of Iran’s nuclear scientists.”

Among the scientists targeted was Fereydoon Abbasi, who survived an earlier assassination attempt but was reportedly killed in the latest wave of strikes. Just weeks before his death, Abbasi had dismissed Israeli threats, claiming that Iran’s nuclear infrastructure was too decentralized to be crippled by attacks.

But that confidence seems to have been misplaced.

The Nuclear Archive Heist

Perhaps the most jaw-dropping operation came in 2018, when Mossad agents stole Iran’s entire nuclear archive — from Tehran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showcased the files on live television, revealing what he claimed were 55,000 pages and 55,000 digital files detailing Iran’s nuclear weapons program.

The operation reportedly involved months of surveillance, a deep understanding of the archive’s security protocols, and a daring overnight extraction. While Iran called the presentation “childish,” the intelligence coup played a significant role in convincing the Trump administration to abandon the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The Killing of Fakhrizadeh

In November 2020, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh — considered the architect of Iran’s nuclear weapons program — was assassinated in a remarkably precise hit while driving near Tehran. Iranian officials claimed he was taken out using a satellite-controlled machine gun. Reports suggest the weapon was installed inside a vehicle and operated remotely, with no agents physically present at the scene.

Israel never claimed responsibility, but Fakhrizadeh had long been at the top of its hit list. The operation required deep intel — including surveillance of his movements, security habits, and daily routines.

Hamas Leaders Targeted on Iranian Soil

In another bold move, Israel reportedly assassinated senior Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh inside Tehran following the outbreak of war in Gaza. According to sources familiar with the operation, Mossad planted a bomb in a guest house Haniyeh was known to use. The device was left in place for two months before being detonated remotely — a chilling reminder that even within Iran’s borders, Israel’s enemies aren’t safe.

How Is Mossad Pulling This Off?

Iran’s security apparatus — including the Revolutionary Guard’s intelligence wing — is powerful, but experts say its weaknesses are systemic. Ram Ben Barak, a former Mossad deputy director, points to deep internal dissatisfaction within Iran as a key factor.

“The regime is deeply unpopular,” he said. “That makes it easier to recruit assets and gather intelligence. And then you add the professionalism and tech capabilities of Mossad — it’s a deadly combination.”

Indeed, Mossad’s success isn’t just about infiltration. It’s also about leverage — exploiting local discontent, navigating internal rivalries, and using cutting-edge technology to do what few intelligence services can.

Iran’s Struggles to Respond

Despite repeated breaches, Iran has failed to prevent further incursions. While Iranian officials publicly downplay the damage, the frequency and depth of Mossad’s operations have exposed glaring vulnerabilities. The Israeli intelligence machine continues to operate seemingly at will inside a country that considers itself a regional superpower.

Iranian officials like Abbasi had long claimed their nuclear assets were spread out and hidden underground, making them immune to Israeli attacks. But the latest operation suggests otherwise — or, at the very least, that Israel knows exactly where to look.

A New Phase in a Long Conflict

With Israel now carrying out open airstrikes in tandem with covert assassinations and sabotage, the long-running shadow war with Iran is morphing into something more visible and more dangerous.

Mossad’s operations are no longer just about deterrence — they’re about dominance.

And as recent events show, the battlefield is no longer at the borders. For Israel, the front line now runs straight through Tehran.

Source: CNN – Israel’s unprecedented attack shows Iran has become a ‘playground’ for the Mossad

The post Israel’s Shadow War Goes Public: Mossad Strikes from Inside Iran appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

An Israeli airstrike shook southern Beirut on Sunday, just moments after the Israeli military issued an urgent evacuation warning for parts of the Lebanese capital.

Video footage captured by Reuters showed a massive plume of smoke rising into the sky shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET), marking one of the rare strikes within Beirut itself.

According to a joint statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, the strike targeted a Hezbollah facility believed to be storing precision missiles. Hezbollah has not yet issued a response.

The Lebanese Civil Defense quickly moved in, extinguishing fires caused by the blast and reporting no injuries.

Earlier in the day, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Avichay Adraee had warned civilians in the Hadath neighborhood to evacuate, claiming Hezbollah was operating facilities in the area. Residents were urged to move at least 300 meters away for their safety.

The airstrike drew sharp condemnation from Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who called on the United States and France to pressure Israel into immediately halting its attacks.

While Israeli strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon have become more frequent since a ceasefire took effect in November, direct hits within Beirut remain unusual. Sunday’s strike follows two others earlier this month, including one in the Dahieh area.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis voiced concern over the escalating tensions, saying the strike “generated panic and fear of renewed violence among those desperate for a return to normalcy.” She urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire.

Before the November agreement, Israel and Hezbollah had been locked in more than a year of cross-border attacks, fueled by the broader conflict in Gaza. Last September, Israel intensified its military operations, culminating in the killing of a senior Hezbollah leader.

As tensions continue to simmer, Sunday’s strike serves as a stark reminder of how quickly the situation can unravel.

Source: CNN – Israeli airstrike rocks southern Beirut after military issues evacuation warning

The post Israeli Airstrike Hits Hezbollah Facility in Southern Beirut After Evacuation Warning appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

Israel has confirmed its involvement in recent attacks on Syria’s naval fleet, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Videos verified by the BBC show explosions at Syria’s Latakia port, with extensive damage to ships and parts of the port.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), more than 310 strikes have been documented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Sunday. The attacks reportedly include hundreds of airstrikes across Syria, targeting cities such as Aleppo, Damascus, and Hama.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the IDF’s goal is to “destroy strategic capabilities that threaten the State of Israel.” Katz also described the operation against Syria’s naval fleet as a “great success.”

IDF Operations Beyond the Buffer Zone

The IDF has confirmed that its troops are operating inside Syrian territory, going beyond the demilitarized buffer zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. These operations aim to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of extremists as Syria transitions to a post-Assad era.

The SOHR reported that the attacks targeted various military facilities, including weapon warehouses, ammunition depots, airports, naval bases, and research centers. Many of these facilities were not just damaged but destroyed.

Rami Abdul Rahman, SOHR’s founder, described the strikes as having crippled “all the capabilities of the Syrian army,” further stating that “Syrian lands are being violated.”

Tensions Over the Golan Heights and Buffer Zone

The IDF’s entry into the buffer zone, an area established in 1974 as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria, has drawn criticism. Turkish officials condemned Israel’s actions as an “occupying mentality” during a sensitive period for Syria. The area is meant to separate Israeli and Syrian forces, and Israel’s unilateral annexation of the Golan Heights in 1981 has not been internationally recognized, though the U.S. did so in 2019.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s presence in the buffer zone is a “temporary defensive position,” emphasizing Israel’s right to defend its borders and citizens. Netanyahu also expressed hope for peaceful relations with the “new forces” emerging in Syria, but reaffirmed that Israel would take whatever steps necessary to protect its security.

Israel’s Concerns Over Chemical Weapons and Extremists

Israel’s primary concern, as articulated by Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, is preventing “strategic weapons systems,” such as chemical weapons and long-range missiles, from falling into extremist hands. This includes potential stockpiles of chemical weapons believed to have been kept by the Assad regime.

In response to these concerns, the UN’s chemical weapons watchdog urged Syrian authorities to ensure the safety of any suspected chemical weapon stockpiles.

The Fall of Assad’s Regime

The Israeli airstrikes come after the Syrian opposition, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), successfully captured Damascus and toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Assad’s family had held power in Syria since 1971. HTS fighters entered the capital early on Sunday, declaring Syria “free” on state television.

This turn of events has added further uncertainty to the region, with Israel’s actions signaling ongoing tension and instability as the Syrian civil war enters a new phase.

Source

The post Israel’s Military Operations Extend Into Syrian Territory appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.