According to an investigation published by The Wall Street Journal, Israel conducted an elaborate covert operation smuggling drone components and precision-guided weapons into Iran prior to their airstrikes, in an effort to disable critical Iranian air defense systems and missile launchers ahead of their unprecedented air campaign, known as Operation Rising Lion.
Inside the Covert Operation A report published by the Wall Street Journal details how small Mossad teams quietly infiltrated Iran over several months using suitcases, trucks and shipping containers to transport quadcopter drone parts and explosive mechanisms for quadcopter drones, among other cargo. For more information visit nypost.com +11, i24news.tv +11 or wsj.com +11.
According to sources, components were assembled near Iranian air defense sites and missile launch points. When Israel launched its air offensive on June 13, local operatives deployed explosive drones against Iranian defenses; specifically targeting radar installations while also suppressing missile systems as they activated. (For more details see: En.wikipedia.org +3, Wsj +3 and Livemint +3)
Strategic Impact Ahead of Airstrikes
Wall Street Journal intelligence sources and Iran’s own assessments indicate the sabotage was intended to degrade Iran’s air-defense umbrella and undermine its ability to launch robust counterattacks, effectively diminishing Iran’s air defense umbrella and thus its ability to launch effective attacks in response. Executed prior to Israel F-35 led strikes on nuclear facilities and military targets by precision bombers using drones helped “clear a path” for precision bombers to strike with minimal resistance (the Guardian.com +5; Wsj.com +5, I 24 News TV +5)).
Israeli covert teams reportedly disarmed ballistic missile launchers as they emerged and disabled surface-to-air missile batteries, significantly weakening Iran’s defensive capabilities in an accelerated tri-phase plan. [Wikipedia/wsj].
This ground-level operation should be seen as part of an overall multi-stage plan:
Drone parts and weapons were illegally brought into Iran and assembled near key installations without detection.
Infiltration & Placement – Mossad operatives concealed themselves within civilian areas to establish temporary proximity to air defense nodes for air defense radar systems.
Coordinated Strike Timing – At the start of their airstrike campaign, explosive drones struck at exactly the moment Iranian defenses were vulnerable, aligning perfectly with incoming IAF jets en.wikipedia.org thetimes.co.uk livemint.com and i24news.tv (all 15+).
Internal Sabotage Fueled Operation Rising Lion
Internal sabotage played a pivotal role in Operation Rising Lion’s successful execution, which involved over 200 Israeli aircraft targeting 100 Iranian sites–from nuclear enrichment plants at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan to ballistic missile factories and IRGC leadership compounds–through their “Operation Rising Lion.” To read more on this story visit Times.co.uk + 1 and NewYorkPost + 1.
Israel reduced risk to stealth aircraft by crippling Iran’s air defenses and making sure the initial strikes caused significant impact before Damascus could recover from their losses.
Israel’s lethal covert operations against Iran mark an extraordinary step, shifting away from traditional aerial and cyber conflicts towards direct physical intervention into enemy territory. Their sophistication highlights Mossad’s reach and intelligence coordination capabilities.
However, this also reduces diplomatic options; Iran has responded with missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem with civilian casualties reported by The Times (UK) of Times of London.
What Are Iran’s Next Moves? :
This initiative presents serious questions:
Will Iran respond with more than mere missile launches? Damage to domestic air defense and missile assets opens avenues for deeper attacks.
Can global diplomacy intervene? Once covert sabotage has been exposed, trust between negotiators may have been broken and nuclear diplomacy could come to a standstill.
How will Israel expand? Success of internal sabotage may encourage covert tactics elsewhere and raise stakes across the Middle East region.
As both sides prepare for further escalation, Israel’s public air campaign combined with secret ground sabotage shows an escalated approach to conflict. Exposing such operations increases the chances of increased retaliation while showing how intelligence wars can now shape kinetic military outcomes beyond traditional battlefields.