Mossad Used Deception to Protect Agents in Iran Operation

The Mossad employed an unconventional strategy during an operation against Iran, intentionally triggering mass arrests to safeguard its agents. This tactic, part of the "Rising Lion" operation in June 2025, involved Mossad releasing a video of its operatives in Iran, prompting local security forces to launch an extensive manhunt. According to former Mossad chief David Barnea, this led to the detention of approximately 21,000 individuals within two days. The sheer volume of arrests allowed the actual Mossad agents to blend in, evading detection and overwhelming Iranian security services.

This mass detention resulted in some individuals being executed on charges of collaborating with Mossad, despite having no connection to the Israeli intelligence agency. The operation, however, was highly successful for Mossad, with 99.9% of its agents remaining undiscovered, and some participants continuing to reside in Tehran. Preparations for "Rising Lion" began weeks prior, with dozens of agents infiltrating Iran before the operation commenced, a level of secrecy so profound that even Israeli pilots were initially unaware of their mission details. Each operative underwent personal approval by Mossad leadership.

The article also detailed a September 2024 operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, where thousands of the group's pagers detonated simultaneously. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu inquired about potential failure just before the operation, receiving assurances of success. Mossad conducted hundreds of tests on dummy bodies to refine the explosive devices, reducing the charge to minimize collateral damage to bystanders, a decision insisted upon by Mossad leadership despite expert objections. These pager explosions, followed by the detonation of radios the next day, severely impacted Hezbollah, causing widespread injuries, disrupting communications, and damaging morale.

In Beirut's Dahieh district, approximately 4,500 individuals reportedly suffered amputations as a result of the operations. The sequential explosions of different devices created psychological pressure on Hezbollah operatives, eroding their trust in their own equipment. When asked about a potential third similar operation, the former intelligence chief declined to comment, emphasizing the strategic value of uncertainty.

Additionally, the article highlighted the significance of Iran's missile attacks in April and October 2024. These assaults provided Israel with crucial real-world data on Iran's missile capabilities and the effectiveness of its air defense systems against mass attacks, informing future strategic assessments and operations against Iran.