Leaked Phone Call Reveals Iranian Official Sought Israeli Assistance
A senior Iranian police commander reportedly told an agent of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency that he was not an enemy and pleaded for help in overthrowing the Islamic Republic, according to a leaked phone call reported by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, March 17, 2026.
Details of the Conversation
The conversation was part of a series of interactions conducted by Israeli intelligence, where threats were allegedly made to Iranian security officials and their families if they did not support a potential uprising against the current regime. According to the report, the Mossad agent warned the commander, “We recognize everything about you. You are on our blacklist and we have all the information about you…If you do not stand by your people, your fate will be like that of your leader (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei).”
The commander responded, “Brother, I swear on the Koran, I am not your enemy. I’m already a dead man. Just please reach help us.”
US and Israel’s Actions Against Iran
The United States and Israel have reportedly been working to create conditions for a change in the Iranian government through strikes on military infrastructure and targeting of senior political leaders since February 28. Israel claims to have used approximately 10,000 munitions, with over 2,200 targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij paramilitary force, and other internal security forces.
Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion
The US-Israeli operations, codenamed “Epic Fury” and “Roaring Lion,” have resulted in an unconfirmed number of Iranian casualties. The US has focused on Iran’s military and industrial base, while Israel has targeted regime officials, including Ayatollah Khamenei and local police departments. Early in the conflict, Israeli strikes reportedly killed hundreds of Iranian military and security personnel gathered in locations like the Azadi Hall in Tehran.
Shifting Israeli Tactics
Recent Israeli air strikes have shifted to precision drone attacks targeting Basij checkpoints and other positions in Tehran and other cities, reportedly guided by information from Iranian civilians. On May 13, the Mossad’s X profile in Farsi warned Iranians to avoid Basij gatherings, stating they were potential targets. Three days later, the profile posted, “Your final battle will start soon. We are with you – in heaven, on earth and in our hearts.”
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