Mossad in the headlines due to Iran-linked espionage cases and Israeli-UAE security ties amid the Iran war. Israel’s national intelligence agency.
As of late March 2026, Iranian Kurdish groups based in Iraq remain cautious about launching a ground offensive into Iran despite ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian Kurdistan. These Kurdish factions seek political autonomy and regime change in Iran but demand U.S. guarantees such as a no-fly zone. Displaced Iranian Kurds in Iraq live with limited rights, hoping for safe return if Iran's government changes.
As of early April 2026, the US has deployed nearly 7,000 additional troops, including the 82nd Airborne Division and Marine Expeditionary Units, to the Middle East. The Pentagon is preparing options for limited ground raids targeting strategic Iranian sites such as Kharg Island and areas near the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has not authorized these operations. Iran warns of fierce resistance and retaliation.
The US has intercepted an Iranian-flagged cargo ship attempting to bypass a naval blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident escalates tensions between the US and Iran, with Iran promising a response. The seizure threatens to deepen the ongoing regional conflict and energy crisis.
Iran has carried out a series of executions since March 19, targeting individuals linked to protests and opposition groups. The executions include those accused of membership in the banned MEK and spying for Israel. The government states these actions are part of its response to ongoing unrest amid war with Israel and the US.
The US has intensified its naval blockade against Iran, seizing an Iranian cargo ship attempting to bypass the blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran condemns the action as piracy and vows retaliation. The incident occurs as the US and Iran face a fragile ceasefire and ongoing negotiations, with global oil markets reacting sharply.
Iran has executed several men linked to protests and alleged espionage during a broader wartime context with Israel and the United States. Iran's judiciary says executions target individuals connected to armed rebellion, espionage for Mossad, and involvement in protests that authorities describe as foreign-instigated violence. The country remains in a paused ceasefire after strikes on Iran earlier this year.
A 33-year-old man has been charged after being found with two axes in a The Hague hotel room, amid threats to Dutch princesses Amalia and Alexia. Prosecutors say he has accused Amalia of instructing the purchase of weapons and has carved extremist inscriptions on the implements.
Iran has executed two men on espionage-related charges, including allegations of forced confessions. Rights groups say one had warned cyber websites about cyberattacks rather than spying. The executions come as Iran’s crackdown on protests and heightened tensions with the US-Israel war abroad continue.
Israel’s prime minister has said he has made a secret March 26 trip to Al‑Ain to meet UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and has called it a “historic breakthrough.” The UAE has denied the visit. Multiple outlets have reported broader Israel–UAE defence cooperation during the Iran war, including Iron Dome batteries and alleged intelligence coordination.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates are coordinating more closely in response to the Iran crisis, with reports that Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet head David Zini have visited the UAE to discuss wartime coordination, security sharing, and potential strikes against Iran.
A Hamburg court has indicted two men—Ali S. (Danish) and Tawab M. (Afghan)—on charges including espionage, murder and arson, accusing them of planning attacks in Berlin linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and its Quds Force. The case follows a spate of Iranian activity in Europe amid the broader Iran war.
Iran has hanged Mojtaba Kian, accused of passing defence-defence information to enemy networks during the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Tehran describes the case as espionage linked to the conflict, with authorities noting the execution followed arrest and legal proceedings.
A series of trials and court filings have laid out allegations that Iranian-backed groups have recruited individuals in Europe to target journalists connected to Iran International and other outlets. The trials describe plans to carry out violence for money, with suspects found in the UK possessing weapons and mounting surveillance operations.