The methods by which Mossad smuggled drones from Israel to Iran that were used in attacks on military and nuclear facilities have been revealed in a Wall Street Journal report. As the American publication characteristically emphasizes, the Israeli intelligence service used trucks, shipping containers, and even suitcases.
Read: BBC: Why Israel struck Iran now, what was Mossad’s role and scenarios for the next day
It is recalled that Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran early Friday morning with drones carrying explosives, rockets and advanced equipment for targeted strikes against scientists, military leaders, anti-aircraft batteries and surface-to-surface missiles.
Reports from previous days indicated that Tel Aviv had been preparing for years for the operation against Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, including building a drone base inside Iran and smuggling in precision systems.
Drones in Iran even with suitcases
Anonymous sources revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Israel spent months smuggling quadcopter drone components with explosives into Iran, using suitcases, trucks and shipping containers on ships. In some cases, business transactions were conducted with associates who were unaware of the cargo’s true contents.
Mossad agents in Iran then collected the equipment and delivered it to teams that prepared the drones for the attack. The team leaders had been trained outside Iran and returned to pass on their knowledge to local units.
When the airstrikes began, the teams used the weapons to neutralize anti-aircraft systems, while simultaneously hitting surface-to-surface missile launchers as they emerged from shelters and prepared to launch retaliation against Israel, according to the same sources. One source reported that dozens of such launchers were destroyed.
Iran apparently continues to fear further attacks from within its territory. The country’s intelligence services published a warning in newspapers on Saturday, including the Tasnim agency, which is linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. Indeed, Iranian citizens are being called upon to be on alert for agricultural and other trucks that could be used to launch drones.
