Barnea stressed the operations had helped enable strikes \u201cin the heart of Tehran,\u201d the \u201cthwarting of senior operatives,\u201d and efforts to secure Israel\u2019s air superiority and defend the home front.<\/p>\n
\t \u201cThe operations recognized this year enabled us to break boundaries in Lebanon and Iran,\u201d he said, adding that the agency had also \u201ccarried out the covert diplomatic campaign, whose importance is critical for forging regional alliances and expanding Israel\u2019s strategic depth.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that cooperation with the military had \u201cchanged Israel\u2019s strategic posture,\u201d but warned that threats remain.<\/p>\n At the ceremony, 10 operations and projects received commendations for having \u201cmade an exceptional contribution to Israel\u2019s security and reflected groundbreaking achievements.\u201d<\/p>\n Additionally, a commendation for bravery and fortitude was awarded to a veteran operative for leading a \u201cbold, first-of-its-kind operation.\u201d<\/p>\n Barnea also noted in his speech that \u201cthe campaign against Iran will only be complete with a change of regime. It was planned in advance to continue for a long time even after the fighting subsides and a ceasefire takes hold. The mission is still ahead of us and could take many months.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the Iranian opposition outlet Iran International reported Tuesday that Iran\u2019s Supreme National Security Council convened amid concerns that the mass protests that plunged the country into chaos back in January could return due to rising prices, high unemployment rates, and damage to key industries as a result of the US-Israeli war.<\/p>\n \t In March, The New York Times<\/a> reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was frustrated with the Mossad after the intelligence service promised that an uprising against the regime could be fomented during the war but had not materialized.<\/p>\n The report stressed that the Mossad chief provided disclaimers and qualifications, and noted both that the situation was developing<\/a> and that achieving the desired ends could take a long time.<\/p>\n In 2025, the Mossad played a crucial role in Operation Rising Lion, and reportedly enlisted its agents to smuggle attack drones into Iran\u00a0via trucks, shipping containers and even suitcases.<\/p>\n Mossad agents inside Iran then gathered the equipment and handed it out to teams who prepared the drones<\/a> for use within the country. Once airstrikes began, the drones took out air defense systems and hit hitting surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>
\n\t\tAn Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israel mural, in Tehran on April 21 2026. (ATTA KENARE \/ AFP) \/<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26057711934509-e1772915934606-640x400.jpg\")
\n\t\tIn this photo obtained by The Associated Press, Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran, Iran, January 9, 2026. (UGC via AP)<\/p>\n
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