Mossad: Israel's shadow lengthens from Tehran to Beirut after March 2026 strikes
March 6, 2026, will be etched into Middle Eastern history as another turning point. Israel launched rare, large-scale strikes against Iran and Lebanon, sending tremors across the region. Behind these raids looms a familiar shadow: the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, 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 hallmarks 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, you have to dive into its secret archives, where personal vendettas and reasons of state intertwine.
The Shadow of Munich: The Mossad's Endless Hunt
One of the most famous chapters remains the manhunt for the masterminds behind the 1972 Munich massacre. After the hostage-taking and death of Israeli athletes, the 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, hidden in the heart of Warsaw.
Among these agents, some became ghosts. Whispers circulate about "The Angel of the Mossad", a nickname given to an exceptional female or male operative whose beauty supposedly opened the most heavily guarded doors. Myth or reality? It doesn't matter; 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 the 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 a long time. Today, Tehran is once again public enemy number one, and the Mossad is regularly accused of a series of assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists – near-surgical operations that bear its signature.
The March 2026 strikes are part of this continuum. All signs point to the Israeli military targeting Hezbollah weapons depots and command centres in Lebanon, while sites linked to the ballistic programme in Iran were hit. Without the precise intelligence provided by the Mossad, these strikes wouldn't have been so devastatingly effective.
Key Takeaways
- Mossad: A key player in Israeli strategy, blending secret diplomacy with armed operations. Its reach covers the entire Middle East, from Beirut to Tehran.
- The Angel of the Mossad: Myth or reality, it symbolises the agency's shadowy side and deadly allure.
- 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: the Mossad, with its controversial past and relentless methods, remains Israel's sharpest sword in a volatile Middle East. And its legends will continue to fuel conversations, from the plush living rooms of Tel Aviv to the alleyways of Beirut, right up until the next crisis.