Hossein Alaei, the former commander of the IRGC Navy, referring to the events of the "12-Day War," acknowledged that the Islamic Republic's intelligence structure lacks the necessary effectiveness against Israel.
On Saturday evening, December 20, Alaei stated: "If the country's intelligence apparatus were properly focused on Israel's activities, it should have been aware of the plans to assassinate Iranian commanders and scientists, particularly those involving the use of aircraft."
According to the former IRGC Navy commander, the events of the 12-day war demonstrated that the Iranian government has not organized its intelligence organizations "proportionate to Israel's intelligence and security efforts and actions."
He deemed a "restructuring and purposeful focus" of the Islamic Republic's intelligence organizations essential, adding that current institutions at this stage "do not meet the type and level of threats" posed by Israel.
This is not the first time officials and figures affiliated with the Islamic Republic have acknowledged Israel's superiority in the 12-day war.
On December 18, Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the Islamic Republic's government, announced that missile superiority lay with Israel during the 12-day war. Regarding this, he said: "It is true we had our missiles, but their missiles were more numerous, stronger, more accurate, and more accessible. It was the people who disappointed them."
Alaei: Mossad is One of the Strongest Security Apparatuses in the World
Continuing his remarks, the former IRGC Navy commander described Mossad as "one of the strongest security and intelligence apparatuses in the world."
Criticizing the Islamic Republic's intelligence structure, Alaei said: "In some cases, individuals identified as Israeli targets all resided in a single tower, making it possible for Israel to martyred several people simultaneously by targeting one building."
He added that the two primary institutions--the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Organization--are simultaneously involved in "internal security issues" and focusing on Israel, while this model has clearly not been productive and has failed to demonstrate the necessary efficiency.
Alaei suggested that one of these two institutions should focus its attention entirely and exclusively on Israel. He had previously acknowledged the inability of the Islamic Republic's intelligence and security apparatuses against Israel in October.
These statements come as speculation regarding the future of the Islamic Republic's nuclear and missile programs, and the potential responses from the U.S. and Israel, has increased in recent days.
On December 20, NBC News, citing informed sources, reported that Israel is preparing to present a report to U.S. President Donald Trump regarding options for another attack on the Islamic Republic's nuclear program.
Additionally, on December 7, Al-Monitor, citing European diplomats, wrote that Israel will likely target Iran again in 2026, even without the approval of the Trump administration.
