Revealed: Covert Israeli Base Backed Iran Air Campaign

Israel established a covert military base in the Iraqi desert to support its air campaign against Iran, according to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, including senior U.S. officials.

The base, set up shortly before the war with U.S. knowledge, housed Israeli special forces and served as a forward logistics hub for the Air Force.

Search-and-rescue teams were deployed there in case Israeli pilots were downed, though none have been so far. When a U.S. F-15 was shot down near Isfahan, Israel reportedly offered assistance, but American forces carried out the rescue independently, with Israeli airstrikes helping secure the operation.

The report adds the base was nearly exposed in early March after a local shepherd reported unusual military activity, prompting Iraqi forces to investigate. Israeli aircraft struck to drive them away, preventing the site from being uncovered.