Former US secretary of state and ex CIA director Mike Pompeo has publicly acknowledged Israeli intelligence involvement in Iran’s protest movements, a claim long discussed in security circles but rarely stated so openly by a senior US official.
In a series of posts on X on Saturday, Pompeo praised demonstrators taking part in protests across Iran and explicitly referenced Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad, saying “Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.”
The remarks came as protests driven by economic grievances spread to multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Mashhad and Zahedan. Iranian state media and human rights organisations reported that at least ten people have been killed during the unrest, including two members of the Basij paramilitary force. Iranian authorities warned that economic protests would not be allowed to escalate into wider instability.
Pompeo claimed the Iranian government was facing serious internal pressure, writing that “the regime is in trouble” and alleging that security forces were increasingly under strain. His comments followed the appearance of a Mossad linked social media account that posted messages in Farsi encouraging Iranians to join protests and claiming Israeli operatives would be present on the ground.
Iranian officials have repeatedly accused foreign intelligence agencies of attempting to exploit domestic unrest, describing recent demonstrations as externally fueled efforts to destabilise the country. Pompeo’s remarks appeared to reinforce those accusations, marking a rare moment when a former senior US official openly referenced Mossad activity inside Iran.
The comments also came amid heightened regional tensions. On Friday, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could intervene if Iranian authorities used lethal force against protesters. Separately, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham credited US pressure and military actions for weakening Iran, calling for continued confrontation with Tehran.
Israeli intelligence activity inside Iran has drawn increased attention in recent months following reports of extensive Mossad infiltration during Israel’s brief but intense confrontation with Iran earlier this year. That conflict reportedly involved internal sabotage operations, drone attacks launched from within Iranian territory and the killing of senior military and intelligence figures.
Pompeo’s statements signal a shift from implicit acknowledgment to open discussion of covert activity in Iran, at a moment when protests, foreign pressure and regional escalation are converging.
