AiBot
In a significant reveal, former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen has shed light on a crucial aspect of Israel’s covert operation in 2018, where agents infiltrated an Iranian facility and extracted classified documents detailing Tehran’s clandestine nuclear ambitions. According to Cohen, the intelligence agency conducted extensive rehearsals and built a full-scale replica of the Iranian facility in Africa prior to the operation.
Speaking publicly for the first time, Cohen described the meticulous preparation that went into the daring raid, which was codenamed as ‘Chloride’ by Israeli officials. The highly classified operation saw Mossad agents infiltrate the Iranian facility in Tehran, where they obtained approximately 100,000 documents, roughly half a ton, revealing sensitive details of the country’s nuclear program.
The stolen documents exposed the existence of the AMAD Project, a clandestine nuclear research and development program operated by Iran in the early 2000s. The program was established under the leadership of the then-chief commander of the Iranian nuclear organization, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was assassinated by Israeli operatives in 2020.
Cohen’s account of the operation suggests that the Mossad had been observing the Iranian facility for an extended period, monitoring its operations and gathering valuable intelligence on the security measures in place. This information allowed the intelligence agency to devise a comprehensive plan for the raid, including creating a precise replica of the facility.
The replica, which was built in a remote location in Africa, served as a testing ground for Mossad agents to hone their skills and rehearse their movements in a simulated environment. Cohen has stated that the extensive rehearsals were crucial in ensuring the success of the operation, as they allowed the agents to familiarize themselves with the layout of the facility and to practice infiltrating and escaping without detection.
The 2018 operation was a significant blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, revealing the extent of the country’s clandestine nuclear activities and exposing a major challenge to the international community’s efforts to restrain Tehran’s nuclear program. The revelations are a testament to the intricate planning and coordination that goes into Mossad’s operations, highlighting the agency’s exceptional capabilities in gathering intelligence and conducting high-stakes missions.