Iranian authorities have increasingly asserted that foreign powers are behind the widespread unrest sweeping the country, claiming external forces are actively involved in fomenting disorder on the ground.
On Monday, President Masoud Pezeshkian shifted attention away from Iran’s struggling economy and the government’s suppression of dissent, instead focusing on longstanding geopolitical rivals, Israel and the United States. Speaking on state broadcaster IRIB, Pezeshkian claimed that “the same people that struck this country” during Israel’s 12-day conflict last June are now “trying to escalate these unrests with regard to the economic discussion.”
“They have trained some people inside and outside the country; they have brought in some terrorists from outside,” he added, alleging that those responsible attacked a bazaar in the northern city of Rasht and set several mosques on fire.
The prospect of direct foreign intervention in support of Iran’s protesters appears to be increasing daily, with US President Donald Trump repeatedly signalling a readiness to consider military action.
In Israel, far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu told Army Radio last week: “When we attacked in Iran during ‘Rising Lion’ [Israel’s June strike on Iran], we were on its soil and knew how to lay the groundwork for a strike. I can assure you that we have some of our people operating there right now,” stopping short of claiming Israeli agents are attempting to instigate regime change.
Earlier this month, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who also served as CIA director, acknowledged the presence of Israeli operatives on the ground in Iran, posting on social media: “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.”
Despite Israel’s involvement in conflicts in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon, and the ongoing violence in Gaza, Iran remains the country’s principal security concern. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly argued that Tehran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons and continues to back groups hostile to Israel across the region.
“I don’t know if it’s Netanyahu pushing it or the whole of society,” said Israeli political scientist Ori Goldberg. “Israelis are desperate for any sign of a masterplan in which they will unite against any foe threatening their destruction.”
Israel has a long history of covert operations inside Iran. Previous missions have targeted the country’s nuclear and missile programs, embedding agents and weapons systems within Iranian territory. Israeli intelligence has also reportedly carried out a series of high-profile assassinations, including the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh while attending Pezeshkian’s inauguration ceremony in July 2024.
Israel is widely believed to have deeply infiltrated Iran’s security networks prior to the June conflict, enabling targeted strikes on scientists and officials linked to the nuclear program and facilitating drone operations launched from within Iranian territory.
“My assumption is that the Mossad is active in Tehran behind the scenes,” said Ahron Bregman, a King’s College London academic specializing in Israeli intelligence. “Israeli officials are unusually quiet. There are clear instructions not to talk andnot to be seen to be involved in any way.”
“I assume there are Israeli agents on the ground, reporting back on the situation from the streets, particularly now that the internet in Iran is down,” Bregman continued. “Operationally, it is easier to act on the ground while it is so chaotic.”
Analysts suggest that Iran’s internal cohesion has been significantly weakened by the prolonged unrest, which has allowed foreign intelligence services to infiltrate the country. This fragility has been compounded by crippling international sanctions, systemic corruption, and the deaths of protesters.
“I’d be very surprised if Israeli agents were not active within Iran right now,” defence analyst Hamze Attar said. “They’re going to be doing everything they can to make sure these protests continue and escalate.”
According to Attar, the primary objective for foreign operatives is to provide demonstrators with what they need most: exposure. “People have come to expect violence from the Iranian regime. What [the protesters] need is to know it’s not for nothing. That’s what Israel and the US will be focusing on: providing the internet access that will allow people to share footage of what’s happening to them. The protesters will know where [the support] is coming from, but right now in the midst of the chaos they are very unlikely to care.”
