Israeli intelligence assessments indicate that military operations against Iran have resulted in strikes against several hundred ballistic missiles and dozens of launchers, reducing Tehran's arsenal from approximately 3,000 missiles to roughly 2,000. Intelligence sources say these strikes significantly impair Iran's ability to conduct missile attacks at previously planned intensity and scope, especially given the systematic elimination of senior military commanders that has disrupted field command operations. Israel will convene a restricted cabinet session overnight.
Intelligence evaluations show Iran maintained approximately 3,000 missiles of various configurations before Operation Rising Lion commenced, with current estimates placing remaining inventory at roughly 2,000 missiles. The destruction of missiles and launchers occurred concurrently with systematic targeting of Iran's command infrastructure, severely limiting Tehran's capacity for coordinated offensive operations.
Iranian command structure complications
Israeli intelligence sources assessed Friday that Iranian forces are unsuccessfully attempting to execute missile strikes against Israel, hampered significantly by command chain disruptions. Sources indicate that eliminating Iranian military leadership has created substantial difficulties for field commanders seeking operational guidance and regular instructions.
Israel eliminated Revolutionary Guards Air Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who oversaw missile operations, alongside other senior force officials including drone operations commanders and air defense system leaders.
The operation also targeted Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian army chief of staff, Hussein Salami, Revolutionary Guards commander, Rostam Ali Rashid, operational staff commander, Ali Shamkhani, supreme leader advisor, Professor Fereydoun Abbasi, nuclear scientist, and Mehdi Tahranchei, nuclear scientist.
Behind-the-scenes Mossad operation
The Wall Street Journal investigation reveals the Israeli Mossad executed an intricate covert operation preceding Iran attacks – infiltrating hundreds of explosive-equipped drones into Iranian territory via suitcases, transport vehicles, and shipping containers. Israeli operational teams positioned near air defense installations and missile launch facilities destroyed dozens of missiles prior to launch while facilitating F-35 aircraft missions.
Mossad initiated preparations for the drone operation years in advance. Intelligence services identified Iranian missile storage locations but required strategic positioning for attacks given Iran's geographic scale and distance from Israel. Mossad transported quadcopters through commercial networks, frequently utilizing unsuspecting business intermediaries.
Mossad operatives conducted operations within Iranian territory preparing for the historic offensive. Teams monitored Iranian missile deployment activities, striking targets before launch preparations could be completed. Mossad recognized that transport trucks moving missiles from storage to launch positions represented Iran's operational bottleneck, possessing four times more missiles than available trucks. Teams eliminated dozens of transport vehicles while maintaining deep field operations through Friday.
