In a rare public statement on Wednesday, Israel’s widely feared international spy agency, Mossad, described the 12-day aerial war against Iran as a `historic' operation that has significantly weakened the decades-long `Iranian threat,' The Times of Israel newspaper reported.
“These are historic days for the people of Israel," the agency said, praising its coordination with the Israel Defenced Forces (IDF) and support from the United States.
Mossad chief David Barnea, speaking from an operational command centre, said: “Israel, thanks to this entire security apparatus, today feels like a different country — a safer, braver country prepared for the future. Objectives that once seemed imaginary have now been achieved.”
He added that Mossad would continue monitoring Iran’s known projects “intimately,” and thanked the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for its role in enabling the operation.
The CIA, in a statement attributed to director John Ratcliffe, confirmed that “credible intelligence indicates Iran’s nuclear programme has been severely damaged by the recent, targeted strikes.” The statement cited historically reliable sources that said several key nuclear facilities were destroyed and would take years to rebuild.
Mossad played a critical role in `Operation Rising Lion,' smuggling attack drones into Iran via trucks, shipping containers, and even suitcases. These were assembled inside Iran and handed over to teams who launched drone strikes on air defences and surface-to-surface missile sites. In addition, Israeli forces allegedly smuggled weapons systems into Iran, gaining air supremacy during the campaign.
Footage released by Mossad shows strikes on Iranian air defences carried out by commandos on Iranian soil. IDF chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also described the operation as a resounding success, revealing that Israeli commando units operated inside Iran. “After 12 days of unprecedented fighting, I can say that the IDF fully achieved the aims and objectives of the operation,” he said in a video message.
According to IDF intelligence assessments, the damage inflicted on Iran’s nuclear programme was “systemic, not localised,” pushing it back by several years. Zamir also said that hundreds of missile launchers were destroyed, significantly weakening Tehran’s offensive capabilities.
“We achieved intelligence, technological, and aerial superiority, and gained operational freedom in Iranian airspace and every location we chose to act,” he said. He praised both air and ground commando forces for covertly operating deep inside enemy territory and enabling Israel’s freedom of action.
The war began on June 13 with a surprise Israeli strike aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear and missile ambitions. Israeli forces targeted military leaders, nuclear scientists, uranium enrichment facilities, and missile infrastructure.
The operation concluded on Tuesday with the announcement of a US-brokered ceasefire.
