Iranian authorities claimed on June 15, 2025, to have dismantled an alleged Mossad-operated drone production facility in Tehran’s Rey County, arresting two individuals accused of working for Israel’s intelligence agency, according to state-run IRNA. The unverified claims, which include seizing 200 kilograms of explosives and drone components, come amid escalating Israel-Iran hostilities following Israel’s June 13 airstrikes and Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks.
A police spokesperson, Sa’eed Montazer al-Mahdi, reported that arrests took place in Fashafuyeh, south of Tehran, and in Alborz Province, according to IRNA. Authorities confiscated 23 drone components, launchers, technical equipment, and a Nissan pickup truck believed to have been used for transport. Iran claims that Mossad operatives utilised small explosive-laden drones to target strategic locations, although specific targets have not been disclosed. Footage showing parts of the drones was released, but no independent verification from sources like Reuters has emerged.
We now know that not only was Mossad casually building drones inside Iran – they were doing it in Tehran in a 3 floor tall building.
In the capital city. Right under Khamenei's nose.
And idiots online really wanted these incompetent blind bastards to have nukes. pic.twitter.com/YkoxZdAGfI
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 15, 2025Context of the Israel-Iran Conflict
The claims follow Israel’s Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, killing IRGC commander Hossein Salami and others, per Al Jazeera. Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise III, launching over 200 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, causing at least seven deaths, per The Washington Post.
Iranian media reported 128 deaths from Israeli strikes, though other sources cite up to 224, highlighting discrepancies. Israel denies Mossad’s involvement in a Tehran drone factory, per The Times of Israel.
Iran’s claims are consistent with previous unverified assertions, such as the supposed downing of an Israeli F-35, which the IDF has dismissed as propaganda, according to Forbes. Pakistan has also denied supplying missiles to Iran, stating that these allegations stem from misinformation in the Indian media. Such claims contribute to regional mistrust amidst an unstable conflict.
The UN and U.S. urged de-escalation, with nuclear talks in Oman cancelled, per NBC News. U.S. forces aided Israel’s missile intercepts, while President Donald Trump distanced Washington from Israel’s strikes, per Reuters. Iran’s reported Mossad arrests seem intended to enhance internal security, but they lack substantial evidence. This situation risks further escalation if these claims are seen as propaganda.
