--- title: "Mossad dismisses two officials after Iran regime-change plan fails" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/mossad-dismisses-two-officials-after-iran-regime-change-plan-fails" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/mossad-dismisses-two-officials-after-iran-regime-change-plan-fails" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/mossad-dismisses-two-officials-after-iran-regime-change-plan-fails.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/mossad-dismisses-two-officials-after-iran-regime-change-plan-fails" category: "Conflict & Security" area: "Middle East" published: "2026-08-07T18:25:51.425Z" source_reported: "2026-08-07T13:14:51.000Z" updated: "2026-08-07T18:25:51.425Z" trust_score: 52 critic_score: 77 hype_score: 35 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-07T17:28:15.718Z" --- # Mossad dismisses two officials after Iran regime-change plan fails *Roman Gofman removed the heads of Mossad’s intelligence directorate and Iran division over a joint US-Israel operation that did not advance* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 52 of 100, higher is better. Trust 52 due to multiple named sources and outlets, but key facts are hedged with "reportedly". - Craft 77 of 100, higher is better. Critic 77 for clear context, specific names, and coherent story despite limited direct quotes. - Hype 35 of 100, lower is better. Hype 35; headlines are mildly sensational but the body remains factual. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Mossad director Roman Gofman dismissed the heads of the agency’s intelligence directorate and Iran division, both appointed in December 2025. - The plan to topple Iran’s government was developed in coordination with the United States and included support for opposition groups under joint military air cover. - Channel 12 reported the plan either failed or never reached the operational stage, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of plotting a 48-hour takeover. - The dismissals follow broader restructuring within Mossad, with the two officials reportedly remaining in the agency in other roles. Roman Gofman, director of Israel’s Mossad, dismissed two senior officials after a plan to topple Iran’s government either failed or did not advance beyond its initial phase. The officials were the head of Mossad’s intelligence directorate, appointed in December 2025, and the head of its Iran division. Neither was named in the reports. The plan, as reported by Israel’s Channel 12, was developed in coordination with the United States. It included support for opposition groups inside Iran, backed by joint Israeli-US military air cover. Channel 12 cited intelligence assessments stating the proposal either failed or never reached the operational stage. International reports suggested it included scenarios for replacing Iran’s leadership and coordinating with US officials on a post-regime phase. Sources told Channel 12 the two officials had been at odds with Gofman from the outset. Their dismissals were described as part of a broader restructuring of Mossad’s leadership and priorities, particularly regarding Iran. Both officials are expected to remain in the agency in other roles. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian later accused the US and Israel of plotting to take control of Iran within 48 hours. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied any recent US contact or discussions regarding the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Aajtak and TV9 Marathi. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mentioned Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s accusation that the US and Israel plotted a 48-hour takeover of Iran. None of the centre-rated digests carried the Kurdish uprising scenario or the Ahmadinejad recruitment effort reported by the left-rated outlets. ## Who covered it Shares of the 19 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 21% (4) - Centre: 16% (3) - Right: 63% (12) 9 of 28 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-07T17:28:15.718Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 10 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-07T20:45:12.265Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The four left-rated reports led on the plan’s ambition and its collapse. in.gr described the proposal as a "written plan for the removal of Iran’s leadership" that envisioned backing Kurdish forces to spark a nationwide uprising. It quoted Channel 12 and Haaretz reporting that the plan included Israeli airstrikes on Revolutionary Guard positions along the Iran-Iraq border to open a path for Kurdish fighters. - in.gr also reported that the plan included installing former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as leader, citing New York Times reports of a Mossad recruitment effort. Middle East Eye and The Cradle carried the same framing: the plan’s scale, its reliance on US coordination, and its failure. Haaretz’s digest noted that one source criticised Gofman’s decision, saying he had been a key supporter of regime change. ### Centre - The three centre-rated reports focused on the dismissals as an internal Mossad matter. Live Mint led with the fact of the dismissals and the identities of the two officials, citing Anadolu Agency and Channel 12. It reported that the plan was shelved and those involved were held accountable, without detailing the plan’s content or the US role. - Jerusalem Post and Worthy Christian News carried the same framing: the dismissals as a leadership shake-up following an unsuccessful plan. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the Kurdish uprising scenario, Ahmadinejad’s role, or Pezeshkian’s accusation of a 48-hour takeover plot. ### Right - The 11 right-rated digests led on the dismissals as a response to operational failure. WIN and Arutz Sheva reported that the plan had been submitted for high-level review, including formal presentations to US President Donald Trump. The Straits Times and India Today framed the story as part of a deepening covert conflict, with Iran ramping up its spy network and announcing fresh alleged Mossad arrests. - None of the right-rated digests mentioned the Kurdish uprising scenario, the Ahmadinejad recruitment effort, or the plan’s reliance on joint military air cover. la Nacion and Observador led on Mossad’s broader intelligence efforts, including tracking Iran’s new supreme leader, rather than the failed regime-change plan. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 9 - high: 8 - unknown: 10 - veryHigh: 1 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Cradle](https://thecradle.co/articles-id/39260) — Mossad chief fires top officials over failed Iran regime change effort: Report - [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/israel-fires-top-intelligence-officials-as-iran-ramps-up-spy-network) — Israel fires top intelligence officials as Iran ramps up spy network - [Rzeczpospolita](https://rp.pl/polityka/art44957811-izrael-dymisje-za-nieudany-zamach-stanu-w-iranie) — Israel: Resignations over Failed Coup in Iran - [The Current](https://thecurrent.pk/two-senior-mossad-officials-removed-after-failed-plan-to-topple-iran-regime) — Two senior Mossad officials removed after failed plan to topple Iran regime - [WIN](https://worldisraelnews.com/mossad-chief-dismisses-key-planners-behind-failed-tehran-strategy) — Mossad chief dismisses key planners behind failed Tehran strategy - [Aletho News](https://alethonews.com/2026/08/07/mossad-shakes-up-top-ranks-after-failed-iran-regime-change-scheme) — Mossad shakes up top ranks after failed Iran regime-change scheme - [la Nacion](https://lanacion.com.ar/estados-unidos/el-mossad-y-la-cia-trabajan-para-rastrear-al-nuevo-lider-supremo-de-iran-no-uso-un-telefono-en-mas-nid07082026) — Mossad and the CIA Are Working to Track Iran’s New Supreme Leader: “He Didn’t Use a Phone in More than 150 Days” - [Latestly](https://latestly.com/agency-news/world-news-mossad-chief-removes-two-senior-officials-linked-to-iran-regime-change-plan-reports-israeli-media-7548970.html) — Mossad Chief Removes Two Senior Officials Linked to Iran Regime-change Plan, Reports Israeli Media - [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/world/mossad-chief-removes-two-senior-officials-linked-to-iran-regime-change-plan-reports-israeli-media) — Mossad chief removes two senior officials linked to Iran regime-change plan, reports Israeli media - The Tribune - [The Nation](https://nation.com.pk/07-Aug-2026/mossad-chief-removes-two-senior-officials-behind-failed-iran-regime-change-plan) — Mossad chief removes two senior officials behind failed Iran regime-change plan - [SINDOnews.com](https://international.sindonews.com/read/1736539/43/bos-mossad-pecat-2-intel-senior-israel-karena-gagal-gulingkan-rezim-iran-1786072101) — Mossad Chief Fires 2 Senior Israeli Intelligence Officers for Failing to Overthrow Iranian Regime - [Live Mint](https://livemint.com/news/israels-mossad-reportedly-fired-two-senior-officials-after-plan-to-topple-iranian-govt-failed-what-we-know-11786071233821.html) — Israel's Mossad reportedly fired two senior officials after plan to topple Iranian govt failed: What we know - [in.gr](https://in.gr/2026/08/07/world/israil-o-epikefalis-tis-mosant-apelyse-aksiomatouxous-gia-tin-apotyxia-anatropis-tis-igesias-tou-iran) — Israel: Mossad Chief Fires Officials over Failure to Overthrow Iran's Leadership - [Worthy Christian News](https://worthynews.com/116484-mossad-chief-reportedly-removes-senior-iran-officials-after-regime-change-plan-falters) — Mossad Chief Reportedly Removes Senior Iran Officials After Regime-Change Plan Falters - [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/08/06/diretor-da-mossad-afasta-dois-dirigentes-de-topo-das-secretas-apos-falhanco-em-derrubar-regime-iraniano) — Mossad's Director Drives Two Top Secret Leaders Away After Failure to Overthrow the Iranian Regime - [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/mossad-chief-fired-2-senior-officials-over-failed-iran-regime-change-plan-israeli-broadcaster/4020652) — Mossad chief fired 2 senior officials over failed Iran regime-change plan: Israeli broadcaster - [Middle East Eye](https://middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israels-mossad-chief-fires-two-senior-officials-over-failure-topple) — Israel’s Mossad chief fires two senior officials over failure to topple Iran’s leadership - [India Today](https://indiatoday.in/world/story/mossad-iran-regime-change-plan-roman-gofman-removes-two-senior-officials-2965453-2026-08-07) — New Mossad chief fires 2 officials after failed Iran regime-change plan: Report - [Arutz Sheva](https://israelnationalnews.com/news/431346) — Mossad Chief removes Iran Desk Head, Intelligence Chief over failed plan - [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/israel-news/article-904817) — Mossad Director Gofman removes two senior officials over failure to replace Iranian regime - [Akşam](https://aksam.com.tr/dunya/rejim-plani-fiyasko-cikti-israilin-iran-masasi-dagildi/haber-1688661) — The Regime's Plan Turned Out to Be a "Fiasco": Israel's Iran Desk Collapsed. - [i24NEWS](https://i24news.tv/fr/actu/israel/artc-mossad-deux-hauts-responsables-evinces-apres-l-echec-d-un-plan-contre-le-regime-iranien) — Mossad: Two High-Ranking Officials Ousted After the Failure of a Plan Against the Iranian Regime - [Aydınlık](https://aydinlik.com.tr/haber/iran-plani-basarisiz-oldu-israilde-iki-yetkili-gorevden-alindi-585871) — The Iranian Plan Failed! Two Israeli Officials Were Dismissed. - [Haaretz](https://haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-security/2026-08-06/ty-article/.premium/mossad-chief-removes-senior-officials-after-failed-iran-operation/0000019f-d845-d7e2-a39f-ffe774a80000) — Mossad chief removes senior officials after failed Iran operation - [Naftemporiki](https://naftemporiki.gr/kosmos/2147666/israil-o-netaniachoy-kartatomei-2-anotata-stelechi-tis-mosant-meta-tin-apotychia-anatropis-toy-iranikoy-kathestotos) — Israel: Netanyahu Sacks 2 Top Mossad Officials After Failure to Overthrow Iranian Regime - [Unknown](https://srugim.co.il/101007904-%D7%98%D7%9C%D7%98%D7%9C%D7%94-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%93-%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%91%D7%9B%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%95%D7%93%D7%97%D7%95-%D7%91%D7%A2%D7%A7%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA) — Shakeup in the Mossad: Two Senior Officials Removed Following the Failure in Iran - [TV9 Marathi](https://tv9marathi.com/international/us-israel-48-hr-takeover-plot-iran-presidents-claim-amid-rising-mideast-tension-1727570.html) — Plot to Take over Iran in 48 Hours? President Makes Big Revelation - [Unknown](https://aajtak.in/world/story/iran-war-masoud-pezeshkian-us-talks-hormuz-strait-mojtaba-khamenei-ntc-mnrd-smsr-dskc-2616326-2026-08-06) — 'The Plan Was to Capture Iran in 48 Hours,' Pezeshkian Bluntly Tells the US and Israel ## Questions **Who were the two Mossad officials dismissed?** The two officials were the head of Mossad’s intelligence directorate, appointed in December 2025, and the head of its Iran division. Neither was named in the reports, but their dismissals followed a failed plan to topple Iran’s government, as reported by Channel 12 and Haaretz. **What was the plan to topple Iran’s government?** The plan, developed in coordination with the United States, included support for opposition groups inside Iran and joint Israeli-US military air cover. It envisioned backing Kurdish forces to spark a nationwide uprising, with scenarios for replacing Iran’s leadership, as reported by in.gr and Channel 12. **Did the US support the plan?** Channel 12 reported the plan was developed in coordination with the United States. Live Mint and in.gr cited formal presentations to US President Donald Trump, while the New York Times reported US officials later deemed the regime-change proposal a "fiasco". **What did Iran’s president say about the plan?** Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of plotting to take control of Iran within 48 hours. The accusation was reported by Aajtak and TV9 Marathi, but none of the right-rated digests carried it. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/mossad-dismisses-two-officials-after-iran-regime-change-plan-fails. 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