In the aftermath of the October 7 attack and escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Mossad attempted to carry out three attacks against the Iranian Air Force in October and November. According to a recent report in Combat Aircraft, an attack was carried out at the Nuja (Shaharouchi) base near Madan on October 25 at 02:00. Two technicians poured fuel on and around the planes, setting them on fire.
Due to the lack of nighttime activity at the base, it took fire crews about half an hour to respond. One plane was destroyed, another severely damaged, and two more had damage to their landing gear and tires. The Iranian army’s counter-espionage organization, with the help of other security forces, tracked down and arrested the perpetrators in Hamadan. Colonel Hashem Moradi, the commander of the counter-espionage department at the base, was also arrested for confiscating mobile phones from pilots following the attack.
Additional attacks took place at two other bases – Wahadti in Dezpol and Yasini in Bushehr – with perpetrators being captured or shot by military police. These attacks were seen as a message to Iran not to engage in direct conflict amid ongoing tensions in the region.
The revelations come at a time when Iran is expected to seek revenge for the assassination of Hassan Mahdawi, commander of Quds Force of Revolutionary Guards in Syria and Lebanon. The details disclosed by Tagbay shed light on covert operations taking place in the region amidst rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
