In the outskirts of Rey, south of Tehran, Iranian authorities announced the dismantlement of a "clandestine drone-bomb factory" linked to Mossad. Inside, security forces said they found 200 kilograms of explosives, 23 drones, launch platforms, and suicide-drone components. In the same operation, at least 28 alleged Israeli agents were arrested across multiple provinces.
To Iranian officials, the discovery was hailed as a sign of vigilance. But to analysts, it pointed to something more alarming. They see it as evidence of a sustained intelligence offensive by Israel that has effectively brought the shadow war into the heart of Iran.
According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, the arrests came just days after the public unveiling of Operation Rising Lion, a Mossad-led sabotage offensive reportedly years in the making. The operation featured embedded drone bases, pre-positioned weapons systems, and a successful effort to blind Iranian air defences. Over 100 targets were hit, including sensitive IRGC facilities and the nuclear complex at Natanz.