Mossad chief: We shifted into offense during Iran war, penetrated ‘core of the enemy’s secrets’

Mossad Director David Barnea provided a rare glimpse into the agency's clandestine intelligence operations over the past year during a speech at the 2025 Commendation Ceremony, held at the Mossad headquarters on Monday.

“We acquired strategic and tactical intelligence from the heart of the enemy's secrets and demonstrated new, groundbreaking operational capabilities in target countries. We implemented a clandestine diplomatic campaign to forge regional alliances,” Barnea said, the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) wrote in a press release.

Overall, 10 operations and projects from various units were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to Israel's security in 2025.

“In the campaigns against Iran and Hezbollah, we worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the IDF, on both defense and offense. We exerted influence through relative advantages and true partnership in striking targets in the heart of Tehran, in neutralizing senior officials, in achieving aerial superiority and in defending the Israeli home front,” Barnea said.

The outgoing director emphasized that the Mossad significantly changed its operational methods during the wars in Iran and Lebanon, shifting from long-term operations to gather intelligence toward offensive moves aimed at neutralizing officials and locating weapons such as anti-aircraft systems and missile launchers.

To this end, the Mossad created new units and dedicated capabilities and adopted new technologies to supplement the work of the Israel Defense Forces, Barnea said.

The recipients of the citations, who remain unidentified for security reasons, took part in operations “to obtain strategic and tactical intelligence from the core of the enemy's secrets.”

Those involved in a series of “groundbreaking operations” during the 12-Day War with Iran, called Operation Rising Lion, also received a commendation.

At the time, an Israeli security source told media outlets that the Mossad conducted three major operations to assist the broader strikes against the Iranian regime.

This included the launch of drones from a secret drone base within Iranian territory, and striking surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems with precision-guided munitions launched from open areas in central Iran, as well as “sophisticated attack systems” and “vehicle-borne technologies.”

Monday’s statement did not refer to these operations and didn’t mention whether one of them received the special commendation, only noting that the operation included “unique working methods combining agents on the ground with advanced technological capabilities, achieving deep clandestine penetration into the heart of Tehran.”

Another operation that received an award was responsible for expanding Israel's “strategic depth” by creating “new alliances” for the nation. This could refer to a previously unknown new alliance or, potentially, to Israel's recognition of Somaliland in East Africa.

“We implemented a clandestine diplomatic campaign whose importance is critical to creating regional alliances and expanding Israel's strategic depth,” said Barnea.

In another operation, only briefly alluded to in the statement, a “veteran and experienced operative” received a commendation for “leading a daring, first-of-its-kind operation.”

Barnea expressed deep appreciation for the operative, noting that Mossad agents risk their lives daily, and emphasizing the need to maintain operational capabilities rooted in agents who carry out special missions and operations.

“The operations that won citations this year allowed us to break boundaries in Lebanon and Iran. We acquired strategic and tactical intelligence from the heart of the enemy's secrets. We proved new, groundbreaking operational capabilities in target countries. We demonstrated the effectiveness of a powerful, innovative system for striking our enemies…Together with the IDF, we have changed the strategic posture of the State of Israel and strengthened its might,” Barnea said.

“At the same time, we are committed to keeping our eyes open; we are committed to intelligence and operational daring, and we are committed to the principle of action. We will not rest on our laurels, and when we see a threat, we will act with full force.”