The Mossad has an ‘extensive network’ of spies operating in Iran, former Israeli intelligence officer Oded Ailam told German newspaper Bild in an interview last week.
Ailam, 71, served with the Mossad for 24 years and explained how the agency was able to recruit so many spies in a hostile country, even as Iran’s mullahs continue to call on the population to hunt the defectors down.
Iran is not a homogeneous country, Ailam explained, as only 40% of its population of 90 million are Persian.
"This makes it extremely difficult for the government to control the people. The surveillance system has enormous gaps; it can't be compared to what the Stasi did in the GDR," he said. Kurds, Turkmen, Baluchis, and Azeris can all be recruited to turn on the regime.
Many of these demographics can be recruited, if not to support Israel, or for the money, but because of their dissatisfaction with the regime.
"There are many dissatisfied people in Iran. Large parts of society are impoverished. While Iran sits on huge gas reserves, instead of investing this money in their own country, the mullahs have poured billions into terror organizations like Hezbollah," Ailam said.
"There is also the fact that Iran is a large country with borders that can't always be monitored, making it possible to smuggle 'anything' into the country."
The Mossad protects spies in Iran, and their families
The Mossad also promises protection for its spies in Iran, and will bring them and their families to safety if necessary.
"When someone works for us, we take care not only of them but also of their family," he explained.
Despite the fact that Iran has many people with the potential to work for the Mossad, Ailam added that the agency spends a significant amount of time making sure those selected are right for the job.
"For a target, not only one agent’s information is used, but always multiple sources to be sure the right person is hit," Ailam said.
"That’s why when looking for agents, we don’t just pick anyone, we take a lot of time to make sure the person is the right fit."