Mandel elaborated that this belief in Mossad's pervasive presence creates a climate of intense suspicion within Tehran. As reported by Iran International, he explained the regime's mindset: "Even if it wasn't true, the Iranian regime believes Mossad is everywhere and has penetrated everything." This pervasive fear, Mandel argued, "makes even people who are loyal look suspicious, which makes them be on the defensive," further destabilizing the internal security apparatus from the regime's perspective.
A crucial element enabling this alleged penetration, according to Mandel, is a desire for liberty among segments of the Iranian population. "They have an Iranian populace that wants to work with them," he said, contrasting this with other regional dynamics where cooperation with Israel is less common or driven by different factors. "The Iranian people want to be free. They want to make their choice," he asserted, suggesting this drive for self-determination motivates cooperation despite severe risks, including imprisonment in facilities like Evin prison or threats to their families.
Mandel expressed firm conviction regarding Mossad's operational depth. "Is Mossad there? It's hard not to believe. Are they there deeply penetrated? Absolutely," he affirmed during the podcast. He concluded, "I don't think anybody believes anything less than that," underscoring the widespread assumption of significant Israeli intelligence activity within Iran.