In a stunning revelation, a report by French newspaper Le Parisien claims that an Iranian mole tipped off the Israeli military about the whereabouts of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, leading to his assassination in a precision airstrike.
Nasrallah was killed on Friday, September 28, in the suburbs of Beirut, after Israeli forces dropped BLU-109 bombs outfitted with JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guidance kits, according to the report.
Inside the intel leak
The Le Parisien report states that the Iranian mole alerted Israeli officials to Nasrallah’s presence at Hezbollah’s underground headquarters, where he was scheduled to attend a high-level meeting with senior members of the militant group. Nasrallah reportedly arrived at the compound in a vehicle identical to that of Abbas Nilforoushan, the deputy commander of Iran’s Quds Force in Lebanon, possibly to conceal his movements.
This breach in Hezbollah’s security could indicate deeper penetration of Iranian-backed militant organizations by foreign intelligence services, particularly Israel’s Mossad.
Iranian moles: A pattern of infiltration?
This is not the first time Iranian agents have been linked to Israeli operations targeting leaders within the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” a coalition that includes Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian forces. Just last month, British media reported that Israel’s Mossad had enlisted Iranian security personnel to plant bombs in a guesthouse where Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was staying.
“They are now certain that Mossad hired agents from the Ansar al-Mahdi protection unit,” an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official told the publication, adding that additional explosive devices were later found in other rooms of the building.
These reports point to a potential vulnerability within the Iranian security apparatus and the increasing effectiveness of Israeli intelligence in exploiting it.
Nasrallah’s death: A blow to Hezbollah’s command structure
The Israeli military confirmed Nasrallah’s death in a statement released on Saturday, following Friday’s airstrike. “Hassan Nasrallah will no longer be able to terrorize the world,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X, formerly Twitter, celebrating the death of the Hezbollah leader, who had long been a central figure in the organization’s operations.
Hezbollah, in a separate announcement, also confirmed the loss of its leader. Nasrallah’s death marks the second major blow to Hezbollah’s leadership in less than two weeks, with the militant group’s top command largely decimated by Israeli strikes. Over 80 bombs were dropped by Israeli forces within minutes during the operation that killed Nasrallah and his aides, underscoring the intensity of the strike.
What’s next for Hezbollah?
Following Nasrallah’s death, speculation is mounting over who will assume leadership of the organization. Reports suggest that his cousin, Hashem Safieddine, a prominent figure on Hezbollah’s Jihad Council, may take over the reins. Safieddine has long been viewed as a potential successor, and his deep involvement in the group’s military and political activities places him as the most likely candidate to lead Hezbollah through this period of upheaval.
With Hezbollah’s command structure severely weakened, the organization faces significant challenges ahead, both in terms of leadership and in grappling with ongoing Israeli pressure. As the Middle East continues to be a battlefield of proxy conflicts, the assassination of Nasrallah may have far-reaching implications, not only for Hezbollah but for the broader regional balance of power.