Mossad deputy’s removal raises questions over Iran strategy, internal power shift

The dismissal of the deputy director of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, last Friday has sparked fresh scrutiny of the agency’s covert operations against Iran, with two major Israeli media outlets, Channel 12 and Ynet, linking the move to both an internal leadership shake-up and the apparent failure of a high-profile effort to destabilise the […]

The dismissal of the deputy director of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency, Mossad, last Friday has sparked fresh scrutiny of the agency’s covert operations against Iran, with two major Israeli media outlets, Channel 12 and Ynet, linking the move to both an internal leadership shake-up and the apparent failure of a high-profile effort to destabilise the Iranian government.

The deputy director, identified only as “A” or “Aleph”, was informed on Friday by newly appointed Mossad Director Roman Gofman that his tenure had been terminated after more than two decades of service in the agency.

While an official statement issued through Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the decision as part of a routine leadership transition, reports by Channel 12 and Ynet suggest the move reflects deeper disagreements over strategy, succession and Mossad’s recent operations targeting Iran.

Aleph, widely regarded as one of Mossad’s most experienced officers, had served as deputy to former director David Barnea and was reportedly considered Barnea’s preferred successor. However, Netanyahu bypassed him and appointed Gofman, his former military secretary, as Mossad chief.

According to Ynet, Barnea opposed Gofman’s appointment and favoured Aleph to lead the agency. No replacement for the deputy director has yet been announced.

 

Questions over failed Iran operation

Channel 12 reported that Aleph had overseen a covert project launched about a year ago involving hundreds of personnel and a budget estimated at one billion shekels ($344 million).

According to unnamed Israeli officials cited by the broadcaster, the operation formed part of broader efforts aimed at weakening or eventually bringing about the collapse of Iran’s ruling establishment.

The report said the initiative failed to achieve its objectives, with one source stating that “the results were not up to par.”

The disclosure comes amid growing scrutiny of Israel’s long-running covert campaign against Iran, which has included cyber operations, intelligence gathering, sabotage missions and support for groups perceived as hostile to Tehran.

In June and later in 2025 and early 2026, Iranian authorities repeatedly accused Israel of supporting Kurdish groups in Iraq and Iran as part of efforts to fuel unrest and undermine the Islamic Republic. Although evidence supporting those allegations remains disputed, Israeli intelligence has historically maintained contacts with minority groups across the Middle East as part of its regional strategy.

Adding to the controversy, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth recently reported that Mossad had supplied Kurdish groups with weapons seized from Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon in an effort to weaken Iran’s influence. The report claimed the CIA initially participated in the initiative before it was later halted by US President Donald Trump.

Neither Mossad nor the Israeli government has publicly connected Aleph’s dismissal to the reported Iran operation.

 

Leadership battle or accountability?

Not all accounts agree that the Iran file was the primary reason for Aleph’s removal.

According to sources within Mossad quoted by Channel 12, Gofman’s decision was driven less by dissatisfaction over operational failures and more by a desire to consolidate authority following his appointment.

“Aleph was Barnea’s closest associate and was identified too closely with him,” the sources reportedly said, arguing that Gofman wanted to remove potential obstacles and build a leadership team loyal to his vision.

The official statement from Mossad appeared to support that interpretation, saying the incoming director intended to appoint a new deputy from within the organisation as part of efforts to shape a senior leadership team capable of addressing future challenges.

The development has renewed attention on Mossad’s mixed record of successes and failures.

Founded in 1949, the agency has earned a reputation for some of the world’s most daring intelligence operations. However, it has also suffered major setbacks, including the 1973 Lillehammer affair in Norway, where agents mistakenly killed an innocent Moroccan waiter, believing him to be a Palestinian militant.

Another notorious failure occurred in 1997 when Mossad operatives were caught attempting to poison Hamas leader *Khaled Mashaal* in Jordan. The operation triggered a diplomatic crisis and forced Israel to provide an antidote after intervention by Jordan’s King Hussein.

Other controversies include the New Zealand passport scandal and the Jonathan Pollard espionage case in the United States, both of which strained Israel’s relations with allies.

Against that backdrop, Aleph’s removal has fuelled speculation that Mossad may be reassessing both its leadership structure and its strategy towards Iran following an expensive operation that appears to have fallen short of its objectives.

For now, Israeli authorities insist the move is part of a routine transition. But reports from Channel 12 and Ynet suggest the dismissal reflects a wider debate inside Israel’s intelligence establishment over succession, accountability and the effectiveness of covert efforts to reshape the balance of power in the Middle East.

Why regime change is difficult in Iran
Analysts argue that Iran’s military and political system is specifically designed for resilience.
At the top sits the Supreme Leader, the commander-in-chief of all armed forces. Beneath this authority are two parallel military structures:

The Artesh (regular army), responsible for conventional defence
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), tasked with protecting the revolution both militarily and ideologically
The IRGC also controls Iran’s missile and drone arsenal through its aerospace division.
This dual structure is intentional. It prevents over-centralisation and acts as a safeguard against coups or systemic collapse.
Within the IRGC is the Basij, a mass mobilisation force used for internal security and ideological enforcement.

Iran also maintains multiple intelligence agencies, including:

The Ministry of Intelligence
The IRGC Intelligence Unit
These operate alongside numerous other services coordinated under a central intelligence council.