Israel built and defended a secret military base deep inside Iraq as part of covert operations targeting Iran, according to a new report that has sent shockwaves through regional security circles.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the existence of the clandestine facility, which Reuters confirmed was operational during the heightened tensions with Iran. The revelation exposes the extraordinary lengths to which Israel has gone to position itself for potential military action against the Islamic Republic, and raises serious questions about sovereignty and intelligence operations in the volatile region.
The base's existence represents one of the most significant intelligence scoops about Israeli military operations in years. For Israel to establish and maintain a military installation on Iraqi soil—without public acknowledgment from Baghdad—suggests either covert cooperation or a massive breach of Iraqi sovereignty that could destabilize an already fragile political landscape.
In Israel, as across contested regions, security concerns and aspirations for normalcy exist in constant tension. The Israeli security establishment has long viewed Iran's nuclear program and regional influence as existential threats, justifying extraordinary measures that push the boundaries of international norms.
The timing of this disclosure is particularly sensitive. Iraq has struggled to balance relationships between the United States, Iran, and other regional powers since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Iraqi officials have not yet issued formal statements about the base, but the revelation threatens to ignite domestic political turmoil in Baghdad, where pro-Iranian militia groups wield significant influence.
For Israel, the base would have provided critical strategic advantages for surveillance and potential strike operations against Iranian targets. The distance from Israeli territory to key Iranian nuclear facilities has always complicated military planning; a forward operating base in would dramatically reduce response times and extend operational capabilities.
