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3. Khaled Hamadeh: Intelligence, AI, Infiltration… Israel’s New Arsenal Against Iran

On Thursday night, Israel launched an unprecedented wave of attacks targeting multiple military and nuclear sites across Iran, including key locations in Tehran and the strategic Natanz facility. Several high-ranking military and scientific figures were killed in the strikes. The scale and accuracy of the operation underscore the pivotal role played by Israeli intelligence in planning and executing these attacks.

Khaled Hamadeh, retired army general and director of the Regional Forum Consultancy and Studies (FSC), discussed the recent developments with This is Beirut.

1. What role did Israeli intelligence services play in the planning and execution of the strikes, particularly in targeting IRGC officials, nuclear scientists, and strategic infrastructure?

Military intelligence has always been central to operational planning—not only to assess enemy intentions but also to select targets and identify critical assets for neutralization or constant monitoring.

What unfolded in Iran closely mirrors past Israeli actions during Lebanon’s last war, such as the targeting of Hezbollah leaders, the pager operation, and the destruction of key party infrastructure. These operations depended on precise military intelligence, advanced technologies like satellite surveillance, and infiltration efforts that gathered vital information. This data was then refined with artificial intelligence to enhance strike precision.

Targeted assassinations rely heavily on intelligence, supported by sophisticated surveillance techniques that track residences and movements of key figures. The same applies to sensitive air force and nuclear sites. Precision targeting is fundamentally intelligence-driven; no strike occurs without thorough military understanding of the terrain.

2. Some Israeli media claim parts of the operation were launched from within Iran, using drone bases and infiltrated teams. How credible are these reports? How could Israel operate inside such a tightly controlled security environment? Does this suggest a physical presence, local networks, or advanced tech capabilities?

Reports of Israeli use of drone bases inside Iran or deployment of high-tech equipment such as sensitive sensors, laser-guided devices, and other targeting technologies are plausible.

This is not Israel’s first deep infiltration into Iranian territory. Past assassinations of nuclear scientists and the 2018 Mossad operation that seized confidential nuclear archives demonstrate Israel’s capabilities. Those documents notably influenced President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. Israeli infiltration is a reality—and its reach is extensive.

The main weakness of the Iranian regime lies in its fragmented internal front: strong opposition, religious and ethnic divisions that facilitate penetration of an otherwise closed and repressive system, one of the world’s harshest in terms of executions. Israel exploits these cracks, planting listening devices near sensitive locations like homes of IRGC officials and nuclear scientists.

Regarding the alleged covert drone base in Iran, it’s likely drones were smuggled in via indirect routes, stored, and assembled for precision strikes. The disabling of Natanz’s reactor, elimination of key scientific personnel, the element of surprise, and paralysis of air defenses all point to meticulously coordinated operations. The drones’ free movement inside Iran indicates prior effective neutralization of local defenses.

Iran’s security apparatus is primarily focused on two fronts: suppressing internal dissent and monitoring regime insiders for conspiracies or coups. There is no genuinely effective counterintelligence system—only coercive measures aimed at regime survival rather than external threat detection. This gap provides Israeli intelligence with opportunities to exploit.

3. Have intelligence, AI, and technology become the decisive elements in today’s conflicts?

Undoubtedly. While not new, today it is clearer than ever that military intelligence, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technologies form the backbone of any successful military operation.

As technological tools evolve, gathering precise information becomes easier. The faster and more effectively this data is analyzed and processed, the better it can be turned into actionable intelligence for operations. Nations mastering this cycle hold a decisive edge on the battlefield.

In the recent conflict, the technological and AI gap between Israel and Iran was stark. Iran was unable to mount an effective response. The future of warfare will be dominated by such technological intelligence capabilities. A new generation of conflict is emerging—and many countries, Iran included, are ill-prepared for it.