Mossad Director David Barnea revealed details of daring operations in Tehran and secret diplomatic efforts to build regional alliances during an awards ceremony at Mossad headquarters on Monday, April 27, 2026.
The ceremony honored ten operations and projects from 2025 that made exceptional contributions to Israel’s security, reflecting breakthrough achievements in deep coordination with the military and intelligence community.
In his remarks, Barnea highlighted a fundamental shift in how Mossad operates—transforming from an organization whose covert operations primarily occurred between wars to an offensive, effective force during wartime itself. This change was demonstrated in Mossad’s operational activity against Iran and Hezbollah and rests on new units and dedicated capabilities built in recent years, along with adoption of cutting-edge technologies and innovation across all levels of operations.
Among the award recipients were exceptional operations that obtained strategic and tactical intelligence at the heart of enemy secrets. These operations enabled numerous activities in the campaign against Iran and the northern arena, preserving Israel’s intelligence superiority.
An award also went to a series of breakthrough operations executed in Operation Am Kelavi / Rising Lion, in which Mossad implemented unique new working methods based on combining agent forces on the ground with advanced technological capabilities and deep covert penetration into the heart of Tehran.
Alongside offensive operations, an award was given for strategic activity Mossad led as part of a covert diplomatic campaign to expand Israel’s strategic depth and create new alliances.
Additionally, this year a Medal of Courage and Fortitude was awarded to a veteran, experienced operative for leading a daring, first-of-its-kind operation. The Mossad chief expressed deep appreciation for the operative and addressed Mossad operatives who operate daily under life-threatening risk.
From the Mossad chief’s remarks:
“In the campaigns against Iran and Hezbollah, we worked shoulder to shoulder alongside the IDF—both in defense and offense, and we influenced according to comparative advantages and true partnership: in striking targets in the heart of Tehran, in thwarting senior officials, in achieving air superiority, and in defending the Israeli home front.
The operations that won awards this year allowed us to break boundaries in Lebanon and Iran. We obtained strategic and tactical intelligence at the heart of enemy secrets. We demonstrated new and groundbreaking operational capabilities in target countries. We illustrated the effectiveness of an innovative, powerful system for striking our enemies. We executed the covert diplomatic campaign whose importance is critical for creating regional alliances and expanding Israel’s strategic depth.
Together with the IDF, we changed the strategic posture of the State of Israel and strengthened its power.
At the same time, we are committed to extreme vigilance, we are committed to intelligence and operational audacity, and we are committed to the principle of action. We will not rest on our laurels, and when we see a threat we will act with full force.”