Straight out of a spy film: Ex-Mossad officer explains how Israeli spies infiltrate Iran's deepest circles

Time of India

14 hours ago

Mossad spy network in Iran
: Former officer reveals secrets of recruitment inside enemy territory-
Israel's Mossad spy network in Iran has long remained a mystery. But now, former Mossad officer Oded Ailam, who served for 24 years in the Israeli intelligence agency, is offering rare insight into how Israeli spies are recruited and protected deep inside hostile Iranian territory. In an exclusive interview with German outlet
Bild
, Ailam, 71, explained how Israel's most secretive agency built a wide-reaching network of agents—even in one of the world's most tightly controlled and adversarial nations.
Despite Iran's ongoing crackdown on espionage and public calls from the regime to expose collaborators, Mossad has managed to operate by understanding the deep fractures within Iranian society—and using them to its advantage.
Why is Iran's diversity a key to Mossad's recruitment success?
Ailam pointed out that Iran is far from a united nation. 'Only 40% of Iran's 90 million citizens are Persian,' he said. That leaves a large population of minorities, including Kurds, Azeris, Baluchis, and Turkmen, who often feel disconnected or even oppressed by the central government.
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'This makes it extremely difficult for the Iranian regime to control the population,' Ailam told
Bild
. Unlike East Germany's notorious Stasi, which maintained strict surveillance, Iran's intelligence system still has major blind spots. 'The surveillance system has enormous gaps,' Ailam explained. 'It can't be compared to what the Stasi did in the GDR.'
These ethnic and social divides have created opportunities for Mossad to recruit insiders who are not necessarily pro-Israel—but who are deeply disillusioned with the regime.
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What motivates Iranians to become Mossad informants?
According to Ailam, many Iranians who agree to spy aren't doing it for ideology or loyalty to Israel. In fact, many are motivated by anger at their own government or by simple economic need.
'There are many dissatisfied people in Iran. Large parts of society are impoverished,' he said. Iran has some of the world's largest natural gas reserves, but 'instead of investing this money in their own country, the mullahs have poured billions into terror organizations like Hezbollah,' Ailam added.
This mismanagement, he said, creates fertile ground for discontent. Mossad agents target this dissatisfaction—offering money, safety, and sometimes the chance to make a real difference against the system they hate.
How does Mossad protect spies operating inside Iran?
Working as a spy inside Iran is a life-threatening risk. But Mossad takes steps to ensure the safety of both the agents and their families.
'When someone works for us, we take care not only of them but also of their family,' Ailam said. If necessary, Mossad is capable of extracting an agent and their loved ones and relocating them to safety.
This promise of family protection is a critical part of the recruitment strategy. It helps build trust with informants and offers a powerful reason for them to commit—even in dangerous conditions.
How does Mossad pick the right people to become spies?
Ailam was clear: Mossad doesn't recruit just anyone. The selection process is long, careful, and methodical. 'We take a lot of time to make sure the person is the right fit,' he said.
Even when targeting a specific objective, Mossad doesn't rely on a single source of information. 'For a target, not only one agent's information is used, but always multiple sources to be sure the right person is hit,' Ailam added.
This multi-source verification helps prevent misinformation, protects the safety of operations, and ensures only the most trusted individuals are activated for critical missions.
Can anything really be smuggled into Iran?
One of Mossad's strategic advantages, according to Ailam, is Iran's porous borders. Despite the regime's efforts, Iran's vast size makes it difficult to control everything.
'There is also the fact that Iran is a large country with borders that can't always be monitored,' Ailam said. 'It makes it possible to smuggle
anything
into the country.' This includes encrypted communication tools, surveillance gear, and even explosive devices when necessary for sabotage missions.
This logistical loophole allows Mossad to maintain contact with field agents and deliver the tools they need—without relying on risky internal infrastructure.
Why is Mossad's spy network in Iran so important now?
With tensions between Iran and Israel running high, and Iran's involvement with Hezbollah, Hamas, and other regional militias deepening, Mossad's intelligence from within Iran is critical to Israeli national security.
The success of this network not only helps Israel anticipate attacks but also plays a major role in sabotage operations, cyberwarfare, and targeting Iranian nuclear development. Though Mossad rarely comments on its operations, leaks and interviews like Ailam's offer a rare glimpse into the complex, dangerous, and deeply human world of espionage in one of the world's most secretive nations.
FAQs:
Q: How does Mossad recruit spies in Iran?
Mossad uses ethnic divisions, dissatisfaction with the regime, and offers protection to recruit Iranian spies.
Q: Why is the Mossad spy network in Iran important?
It helps Israel gather vital intelligence and counter threats from inside Iran's borders.