Why Mossad released video of its role in Iran attack

(NewsNation) — Israel’s shadowy intelligence agency, Mossad, released rare video Friday purportedly showing two operatives launching missiles on Iran from within that country’s borders.

To veteran journalist and author Dan Raviv, who hosts a podcast called “The Mossad Files,” it’s an unprecedented glimpse into the secretive agency — with a clear message to Israelis.

“They’re kind of coming out of the shadow, but I think in part that’s because the Israeli public needed a lot of reassurance,” Raviv told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Friday.

Raviv said Israelis were shocked by the deadly Hamas incursion into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and that the video of the Mossad operatives is meant to send a message that, effectively, “We’ve got this.”

“This is kind of the Mossad showing off. We don’t know whether these men, by the way, are Israelis, because in the past, according to my sources, the Mossad has often used foreigners — yes, Iranians, of course — working for Israel,” he added. “They do it for money, they do it because they’re against the regime, but it really looks like they were part of weakening Iran.”

Two additional videos released by Mossad purportedly show missiles descending on targets in Iran.  The images were distributed through Reuters.

“It scares the enemy, but again, it also cheers up the Israeli people after Oct. 7,” Raviv said.

Israeli leaders say they launched military strikes on Iran late Thursday to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. They say intelligence indicated Iran was within days of having nukes.