WANA (Aug 17) – A U.S.-based investigative outlet, citing anonymous sources within Israel’s Mossad, has reported that operatives working for Israel inside Iran were not Israeli nationals. According to the report, those involved were either Iranian citizens or third-country nationals.

 

The alleged infiltrators inside Iran carried out a wide range of sabotage operations, including breaking into vaults, planting machine guns, destroying air-defense systems, and conducting surveillance on the apartments of Iranian scientists. Mossad, the report claims, has been investing in recruitment efforts for several years.

 

Meanwhile, Iranian security services have confirmed that a number of Mossad-linked agents were arrested in recent months, including during the 12-day conflict with Israel.

 

Experts stressed that the threat and operations posed by internal collaborators were even more significant than direct enemy attacks.

 

They pointed out that much of the damage Iran sustained during the conflict was due to insider sabotage, including the use of drones and advanced equipment to carry out destructive operations.

 

According to some media outlets, a portion of those arrested were nationals from Central Asian countries, while others were Iranian citizens recruited by Israel.

 

Also, individuals affiliated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) terrorist group were identified and arrested by the IRGC forces for collaborating with Israel.

 

As Iranian officials say, investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of Mossad’s infiltration network.

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 13, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)