Mossad Chief Claims Acquisition of Valuable Intelligence in Operations in Iran

Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, claims to have conducted operations penetrating Iranian and Lebanese territory. Mossad described the operation as successful in obtaining “valuable intelligence”, particularly from within Iran. The claim, as reported by Al Arabiya on Tuesday (28/4/2026), was made by Mossad chief David Barnea in his latest statement on Tuesday (28/4) local time. Barnea has led Mossad since June 2021, with his term ending in June 2026. Barnea stated that Mossad has gained strategic and tactical intelligence advantages, including access to what is described as some of the enemy’s most sensitive secrets. He claimed that Israel’s intelligence agency has demonstrated new and unprecedented operational capabilities within target countries. In his statement, Barnea also highlighted what he called a shift in Mossad’s operational approach, stating that the agency has transformed into a more offensive and active force during wartime. Previously, according to Barnea, Mossad’s focus was on covert activities between conflicts. He believes this shift is reflected in operations targeting Iran and Lebanon, supported by the formation of new units and special capabilities in recent years, as well as the adoption of advanced technology and innovations at various levels of work. Barnea, according to Israeli local media reports, also emphasised the importance of maintaining human-based operational capabilities to carry out missions and special operations. Barnea’s claim was made as Iran, in recent months, has announced the arrest and execution of dozens of its citizens accused of collaborating with Mossad. The Mossad chief’s statement follows what Israel describes as a significant intelligence penetration into Iranian territory, which they say has enabled the killing of dozens of Tehran’s political and military leaders since the war broke out on 28 February. Among the Iranian leaders killed are their former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Bagheri. Israel also eliminated senior Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon during the fighting that began in 2024, following the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 that triggered the devastating war in the Gaza Strip.