A warning from Israeli operatives to top Iranian military commanders has surfaced online, showing a psychological campaign that ran alongside Israel’s military strikes under Operation Rising Lion. According to an audio recording obtained by The Washington Post, Israeli agents told several Iranian generals they had just hours to escape, or face certain death.

‘We’re closer to you than your own neck vein’

The operation began on June 13 with airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites. But the attack wasn’t just physical, it also targeted the minds of Iran’s military leaders.

In one of at least 20 phone calls made to senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Israeli operative delivered a message:
 "You have 12 hours to escape with your wife and child. Otherwise, you're on our list right now."

The agent added, "We're closer to you than your own neck vein. Put this in your head. May God protect you."

The calls were made in Persian and were part of a strategy to scare and destabilise Iran’s military chain of command.

In one call, the operative claimed responsibility for the assassinations of top IRGC leaders Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri, and Ali Shamkhani, though Iran later said Shamkhani had survived.

"Listen carefully. I'm calling from a country that two hours ago sent Bagheri, Salami, Shamkhani, one by one, to hell," the agent said.

When the Iranian general asked what to do, the Israeli agent told him to record a video denouncing the Iranian regime and send it via the Telegram messaging app. It’s unclear whether the video was actually made.

The warnings were part of a broader psychological operation. Israeli sources said the goal was to create fear among second- and third-tier military commanders, making it harder for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to find replacements for those killed in the strikes.

In addition to phone calls, Israeli agents reportedly left notes at homes, sent messages through family members, and even delivered personal threats through spouses.

Operation Rising Lion and U.S. strikes

These warnings happened alongside Operation Rising Lion, which included airstrikes inside Iran. Western officials said that Israel used covert agents, hidden weapons, and sleeper cells to carry out the mission.

Just days after Israel launched its operation, the United States joined in. Under orders from U.S. President Donald Trump, B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles were used to hit three Iranian uranium enrichment sites.

Iran responds with strikes on U.S. base in Qatar

In retaliation, Iran launched drone strikes targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses a major U.S. military presence. While the damage and casualties are still being assessed, the incident marked a serious escalation in the regional conflict.

You might also be interested in - Iran moves 400 kg uranium before US, Israel hit nuclear sites