Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency secretly deployed around 100 foreign operatives inside Iran prior to the outbreak of June’s 12-day war, according to a television report, Times of Israel reports. These operatives were assigned to disable much of Iran’s missile launch and air defense capabilities during the opening phase of the conflict.
Channel 13 reported last week that the agents, specially trained for the task, oversaw the positioning and operation of heavy missile systems smuggled into Iran. These systems were then used to strike Iranian ballistic missile launchers and anti-aircraft sites, providing direct support for the Israeli military’s offensive.
The operation was described as unprecedented in scope and difficulty, as never before had so many non-Israeli agents been involved in such a mission, nor entrusted with advanced weapons systems of this kind.
The program included interviews with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi. They described the dramatic overnight strikes on June 13 that sparked the war, Israel’s expectation that the United States would take steps against the underground Fordo nuclear site, discussions over the possibility of assassinating Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and even efforts to cause mass panic in Tehran.
Netanyahu recalled briefing US President Donald Trump before the operation, saying: “I told him, ‘We have to do it.’ And he said, ‘You’re right, it’s gotta be done.”
The premier added that he instructed Israel’s defense establishment: “We are going to destroy the Iranian nuclear project as best we can. We aren’t waiting for a green light from the US, and what is more, it doesn’t matter if they say no.”
Several ministers recalled the absolute secrecy that surrounded the preparations for the first strikes. Sa’ar recounted, “I had a friend whose daughter was supposed to get married that week. I sat and discussed the wedding even though I knew it wouldn’t be happening.”
Asked whether his own family was similarly kept in the dark given that his son Avner was due to marry days after the war began, Netanyahu replied cautiously: “Of course my wife knew that we would take certain necessary security actions. And she could have guessed, but nobody knew.”
The investigation revealed that even in summer 2023 — before Hamas’s October 7 assault — the Israeli air force had created a new intelligence unit in anticipation that Iran would need to be confronted directly.
The first strikes of June came after two large-scale missile and drone barrages from Iran in the preceding months and intelligence indicating Tehran was accelerating its nuclear efforts.
Brig. Gen. Gilad Keinan, head of air force operations, acknowledged concerns about losing pilots during the campaign. “We were confident that we knew how to reach any pilot or navigator that was shot down. The question was more whether we would be able to extract them,” he said.
Keinan added that while Israeli jets faced danger from Iranian air defenses, Iran avoided scrambling its own aircraft out of fear of accidentally downing them with its missiles.
He confirmed that Israeli forces also carried out ground actions “somewhere,” without elaborating. Another senior planner similarly said troops were deployed “in the Middle East,” but would not confirm if that included Iran itself.
The program aired excerpts of cabinet discussions leading up to the war. Hours before the launch, a top security official told ministers that Iranian intelligence had noticed signs of Israeli activity but believed Washington was holding Israel back ahead of renewed nuclear talks. The official also noted long-standing covert efforts to destabilize the Iranian regime.
Ministers were warned to prepare for 200-400 Israeli civilian deaths.
When the war was ordered, the cabinet was transferred to a secure bunker, with their families brought to protected sites soon afterward.
Military leaders also dispersed command responsibilities, stationing the chief of staff and his deputy at separate locations and setting up a duplicate command center to preserve continuity in case of a strike.
Hanegbi recalled fears that a late-night message by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee on X could have exposed the plan. “At our Embassy in Jerusalem and closely following the situation. We will remain here all night. ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,'” Huckabee posted shortly before the Israeli assault.
That was quickly followed by a message from Trump on Truth Social stating that “in the coming days” the US military would “heap glory upon glory.”
As the Iranian air force scrambled into command centers, Israeli officials used the phrase “a red wedding” — a reference to the “Game of Thrones” massacre — to describe what was unfolding. “We understood within 48 hours that the skies of Tehran were ours,” one air force officer said.
When Iran struck back, some Israeli ministers worried about the impact of the televised destruction. According to the report, Shas leader Aryeh Deri told colleagues on the second day of fighting, “Trump shouldn’t be seeing these explosions in Israel and it could get worse.”
But Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer countered, saying the images could help Israel. “Actually I think the images from Israel are good for us. If there’s no damage he can’t explain to his public why he is sending us refuelers, and why in a few days why he would [order the US army] to join,” he argued.
Netanyahu reportedly backed that view, telling ministers: “pyrotechnics and color are more important than the other things. We must attack fuel tanks, a Basij [paramilitary] facility and more tonight. That is what will influence Trump and convince him to join.” He added, “He said that tomorrow would be the most important night. I am going to give him a birthday greeting and I want to bring him a gift.”
Katz later explained that senior Israeli leaders had indeed discussed targeting Khamenei, though it was not a declared war objective. “If there had been an opportunity, we would have [targeted him]. He went deep underground, and we couldn’t get to him,” Katz said.
Asked directly whether the Iranian leader was considered a target, Netanyahu replied: “His regime wants to destroy us. I don’t see why he would be immune.”
