Onlookers gather in front of a building damaged in an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel carried out strikes against Iran early on June 13, targeting its nuclear and military sites, after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible "massive conflict" in the region. (Credit: AFP)
Israeli Mossad commandos led a series of covert operations deep inside Iran leading up to Israel's strikes on Friday, according to reports from Israeli media and Reuters, citing Israeli security officials.
According to one such official speaking to Times of Israel, the country's army spent years preparing for the operation it eventually carried in the early hours of Friday morning, targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs and its military's top brass.
These preparations included Mossad building an attack-drone base near Tehran and smuggling precision weapons systems and commandos into the country, the outlet reports. The effort reportedly hinged on tight joint planning between the Israeli army and the Mossad intelligence agency.
The setup allowed Israel to deploy precision-guided weapons in open areas near Iranian surface-to-surface missile systems sites and use advanced technology in close range against Iran's air defense systems. The drones were activated overnight, striking said missile launchers.
In addition, vehicles carrying weapons systems were smuggled into Iran and Israeli officials claim these systems significantly damagedIran’s air defenses and gave Israeli fighter jets more freedom of action over Iran.
The third covert effort was Mossad commandos deploying precision missiles near anti-aircraft sites in central Iran, "while totally evading the eyes of local intelligence,” the official said.
