During Operation Roaring Lion, Israeli agents contacted at least 20 mid-level Iranian officials, urging them to flee. They also offered the officials a chance to "save their lives" by recording videos with messages against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sending them to Israeli intelligence, the Washington Post revealed on 23/6, citing three intelligence sources and a leaked recording of one such call.

The recording reveals one of these "flee or die" calls took place just hours after the start of the airstrike campaign. Israeli intelligence and military forces launched simultaneous airstrikes and assassinations across Iran, targeting high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists.

"Let me explain something to you, listen carefully. I'm calling from the country that just sent Bagheri, Salami, and Shamkhani to hell, one by one, just two hours ago", the Israeli agent said in Farsi, the common language in Iran, to an Iranian general.

"I advise you to leave immediately with your wife and children within the next 12 hours. Otherwise, you'll be on our list", the agent stated.

Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps parade in Tehran in 1/2025. Photo: AFP

Members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps parade in Tehran in 1/2025. Photo: AFP

The individuals named by the Israeli agent were IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

Both General Salami and General Bagheri were killed on 13/6 in the initial Israeli airstrikes. Iranian media later reported that Shamkhani survived but was seriously injured.

In the call, the Israeli agent also demanded the general record a video denouncing the Tehran government: "Say that we no longer support this government and we do not want to sacrifice ourselves for those who have ruined this country for 46 years."

The caller instructed the general to send the video via the encrypted messaging app Telegram. "We are closer to you than your jugular vein. Remember that. May God bless you", the Israeli agent added.

It remains unclear whether the Iranian general made the video. In releasing the recording, the Washington Post distorted the Israeli agent's voice and muted the Iranian general's responses. The newspaper did not disclose the general's identity but confirmed his identity and, through informed sources, that he is still alive and in Iran.

The Israeli Prime Minister's office declined to comment on the report.

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir (center), along with intelligence leaders and the Israeli Air Force commander, during an operational briefing in March. Photo: IDF

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir (center), along with intelligence leaders and the Israeli Air Force commander, during an operational briefing in March. Photo: IDF

The Mossad (Israel Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations) and other Israeli intelligence organizations have established a sophisticated spy network within Iran, capable of smuggling weapons into the country, tracking the movements of top generals, and carrying out simultaneous assassinations of multiple targets.

Two sources revealed that this intimidation campaign was a coordinated effort by various Israeli security and military agencies, targeting individuals who survived the initial airstrikes or were lower on the assassination list.

Western security officials say they have not seen any signs of defection within the Iranian military or IRGC leadership. However, some senior Iranian officials have been contacted multiple times.

"Some received threatening letters slipped under their doors, some received calls, and others were contacted through their wives. They understand that they are being watched and that our intelligence network has 100% penetration in Iran", an Israeli official disclosed.

Observers suggest these calls aimed to undermine the morale of Iranian generals, disrupt their forces, or exploit weaknesses to coerce Iranian officials into cooperating with Israel in the future. The calls targeted mid-level Iranian officials, potential replacements for the senior officials assassinated by Israel.

"These potential candidates are constantly reminded of the fate of Hasan Nasrallah's successor or the Hezbollah commanders eliminated by Israel", said an Israeli official familiar with the operation.

Hasan Nasrallah, the leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah group in Lebanon, was assassinated in an Israeli airstrike in 9/2024. Hashem Safieddine, his chosen successor, was also assassinated by Israel a month later.

"Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei will struggle to replace the officials we just eliminated. Even if he appoints someone, it won't be his preferred choice, as more qualified individuals have refused to take on the role", the Israeli official stated.

Thanh Danh (Times of Israel, Washington Post)