Mossad: Israel's long shadow stretches from Tehran to Beirut after March 2026 strikes
March 6, 2026, is set to be remembered as another turning point in Middle Eastern history. Israel launched strikes of rare intensity against Iran and Lebanon, sending tremors across the region. Behind these raids, a familiar shadow looms: Mossad, the Israeli intelligence service, whose invisible hand seems to guide every strategic move. Even the Americans have raised their voices, warning of an uncontrollable escalation, but the IDF continues to strike with a precision that bears the hallmark of meticulous intelligence work.
But beyond the breaking news, what do we really know about this legendary agency? It embodies both fear and admiration, blending technological prowess with methods inherited from the Cold War. To understand the present, we need to delve into its secret archives, where personal vendettas intertwine with reasons of state.
The shadow of Munich: Mossad's relentless manhunt
One of the most famous chapters remains the hunt for the masterminds behind the 1972 Munich massacre. After the hostage-taking and the deaths of the Israeli athletes, Mossad was ordered to track down and eliminate those responsible. This was Operation "Wrath of God". For years, its agents crisscrossed Europe, systematically taking down members of Black September. These targeted killings – the "Mossad assassinations after the Munich massacre" – forged the legend of an agency capable of striking anywhere, anytime, without leaving a trace. We still remember the elimination of Ali Hassan Salameh in Beirut, or that of Abu Daoud, orchestrated in the heart of Warsaw.
Among these agents, some have become ghosts. Whispers surround the name of "The Angel of Mossad", a nickname given to an exceptional female or male operative whose beauty was said to open the most tightly guarded doors. Myth or reality? It hardly matters; the name sticks to the agency, adding another layer of mystery to an already secretive institution.
From Tehran to Beirut: a century of interference
But Mossad didn't wait until 2026 to take an interest in Iran. As early as the 1950s, it collaborated with the CIA to destabilise the government of Mohammad Mossadegh, the nationalist prime minister who had dared to nationalise British oil. Operation Ajax, in 1953, overthrew him and installed the Shah, tying Israeli intelligence to Iranian affairs for the long haul. Today, Tehran has become public enemy number one, and Mossad is regularly accused of a series of assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists – almost surgical operations that bear its unmistakable signature.
The March 2026 strikes are a continuation of this history. All signs point to the Israeli military targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and command centres in Lebanon, while sites linked to the ballistic missile programme in Iran were hit. Without the precise intelligence provided by Mossad, these strikes wouldn't have been nearly as devastatingly effective.
Key takeaways
- Mossad: a key player in Israeli strategy, blending secret diplomacy with armed operations. Its networks span the entire Middle East, from Beirut to Tehran.
- The Angel of Mossad: myth or reality, it symbolises the shadowy side and the deadly allure of the agency.
- Mohammad Mossadegh: a historical example of Mossad's influence in Iran, reminding us that the roots of the current crisis lie in the coups of the last century.
- Post-Munich assassinations: the operation that built the agency's reputation, a model of perseverance and determination.
As the dust settles on the March strikes, one certainty remains: Mossad, with its murky past and ruthless methods, is still Israel's sharpest sword in a volatile Middle East. And its legends will continue to fuel conversations, from the hushed living rooms of Tel Aviv to the backstreets of Beirut, right up until the next crisis.