Mossad chief: Israel will operate inside Iran for ‘years to come’

Director David Barnea hails ‘unimaginable’ Mossad achievements in Iran, says agency will maintain deep presence there, and is committed to the return of hostages from Gaza.

By David Brummer, World Israel News

In a striking and unusually public address, Mossad Director David Barnea declared on Wednesday that Israel’s intelligence agency will maintain a long-term operational presence inside Iran, according to several news outlets.

His speech followed a series of high-impact covert actions against Tehran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

“We will be there, like we have been there,” Barnea said in a video message to Mossad agents, released by the agency.

The rare footage was published days after Israel carried out unprecedented strikes deep inside Iran, with the Mossad playing a central role alongside the Israel Air Force.

Barnea praised the Mossad’s operatives, revealing that “hundreds” of agents were embedded in Iran during the height of the operations.

“We worked for months and years to do all the right actions to get to the right moment,” he said, calling the agency’s successes “unimaginable.”

Public reporting has attributed a range of covert operations to the Mossad in recent months, including the targeted assassinations of senior Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, and sabotage of critical infrastructure, including drone and missile production facilities.

Barnea expressed gratitude for the “invaluable partnership” with the CIA, thanking its director and American counterparts for backing Mossad-led decisions that enabled key parts of the Iran strike mission.

He also acknowledged the cooperation of Israeli military intelligence and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

Speaking on Tuesday at the Mossad’s operations command center, Barnea reiterated that Israel would “keep a close watch on every project in Iran that we know most intimately.”

The Mossad also released rare video footage on Friday documenting its co-lead role in Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian ballistic missile and air defense targets.

The clips, with agent identities concealed, underscore the depth of Israel’s preparation and intelligence capabilities.

Turning to the Gaza front, Barnea stressed that the Mossad remains committed to the return of all hostages held by Hamas.

Of the 50 known hostages, 20 are believed to be alive. “Our mission is not yet complete,” he said.

“We are committed to bringing all the hostages home — the living for rehabilitation and the fallen for proper burial. This is our highest moral and ethical duty.”

Barnea emphasized the Mossad’s deep collaboration with the IDF throughout the broader conflict.

“Through precise intelligence, advanced technologies, and exceptional operational capabilities, we helped secure Israeli air superiority and reduce the missile threat,” he said.

“We were prepared for this moment.”