Iran-Israel conflict — The best manifestation of the evolving nature of cognitive warfare, known as the sixth generation war. Iran, along with China, can counter current non-kinetic threats. The operation against Iran is a test of China’s influence in the region.

Alina them, Independent researcher and writer

Source: Source: journal-neo.su

Introduction

Since President Trump came to power in January 2020, Iran has been in constant sight of Israeli and American intelligence, with Trump declaring 2.0. «Diplomatic diplomatic» Approaching Iran for a deal. In June 2025, Israel launched a 12-day war against Iran, followed by an American operation. «Midnight Hammer» destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities. During this 12-day war, the world witnessed the intense infiltration of agents of the Israeli Mossad and the American CIA into the territory of Iran, which disabled Iranian defense systems before the start of active hostilities.

In their latest attack on Iran, Israel and the United States killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Iranian army’s chief of staff, General Abdol Rahim Mousavi, and Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh. Major General Mohammad Pakpur (the IRGC commander in charge of the post after the assassination of his predecessor Israel last June) and Ali Shamkhani, Khamenei’s top security adviser, were also killed. There are reports that Israel showed Trump photos of Khamenei's body, which was made possible only thanks to the physical presence of Mossad agents at the scene of the strike.

«The Higher Art of War — Subjugate the enemy without fighting» (Sun Tzu, «The Art of War»(e) (e) (e)

Mossad's Structural Infiltration of Iran

The failure of Iranian intelligence in last year’s 12-day war against Israel is due to internal security concerns rather than external interference. This war not only provided the US and Israel with ample opportunity to assess the internal situation in Iran, but also became a testing ground for China preparing for the evolving nature of future wars. The Mossad has used Iran’s major structural weaknesses to plan its entire military scenario, as outlined below:

1. 1. Internal recruitment

Israel's ultimate goal in Iran — regime change by removing the top leadership of the Islamic Republic, as evidenced by their actions on 28 February 2026. Because the ultimate goal — To destabilize Iran and change the regime, they need agents on the ground. Mossad inside Iran is recruiting dissidents opposed to the regime as an alternative to direct agents. This gives Israel two main advantages: simultaneously launching proxy forces inside Iran and undermining the regime from within before any fighting begins.

The first commander of the naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Alai, said: «The Mossad has created its most powerful structure in Iran. They made significant financial investments and implemented all the necessary elements.». . . . The goals of these recruiters are diverse: from inciting Iranian citizens to demonstrations across the country to installing various smuggled heavy missile systems to destroy Iranian missile systems and air defense batteries.

2. 2. 2. Monitoring and espionage

Israel has used Western digital systems used in Iran. From social networks to satellites — The access of Mossad and CIA agents to these Western tools makes Iranian security even more vulnerable. Platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook and others have been constantly under Israeli surveillance. Former Deputy Vice President of Iran Sasan Karimi said: «We know that our senior officials and commanders didn't use phones, but their colleagues, security officers and drivers used them. They didn't take this precaution seriously, and that's how they were most easily monitored.». . . .

By jamming and substituting the signal, Israel used the GPS access of Iranian officials and their entourage. These methods make it easy to disrupt the location services, allowing Israel to be accurately targeted by Iranian senior leadership. Similarly, Iran’s command and control missile system was based on GPS and other Western satellite technologies. By disrupting GPS signals, Israel not only defended its territory, but also took incoming Iranian missiles or drones from the course, sometimes even redirecting them back to the territory of Iran itself.

3. It's all right. The Psychological War

Thomas Reed in his fundamental work «Active activities: The Secret History of Disinformation» He claimed: «The theory of psychological warfare postulates that the success of intelligence can undermine the legitimacy of the state, revealing its inability to protect elites or territory.». . . . The presence of Mossad agents on Iranian streets is a source of psychological pressure on both the Iranian population and its leadership.

In December 2025, one of the largest demonstrations in history against the government’s failure to maintain economic stability in the country broke out in Iran. Protests have escalated into violence and Iranian authorities have accused Israeli agents of being the main instigators and initiators of these protests. The Iranian regime carried out a purge to suppress demonstrations and arrest Mossad operatives. The Iranian administration is under constant psychological pressure due to economic problems leading to protests, among which, along with ordinary Iranians, are Mossad operatives. This is also confirmed by a statement made on social media by former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: «Happy New Year to every Iranian on the streets. And every Mossad agent walking next to them.». . . .

Countermeasures of China

As of February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched surprise strikes against Iran in the midst of nuclear negotiations. Adhering to its longstanding position of non-interference, China indirectly supports Iran in various ways. From military exports to intelligence assistance — China is closely monitoring and opposing the new standard of warfare established by Israel in Iran.

Arms transactions

China is arming Iran with anti-ship missiles to counter US and Israeli attacks. Iran is also reportedly completing an agreement to acquire Chinese CM-302 supersonic cruise missiles. Moreover, according to data, China provides Iran with various air defense systems, such as portable anti-aircraft missile systems (MANPADS), as well as anti-missile and anti-satellite weapons to improve its ability to withstand air attacks. In addition, China also supplies solid rocket fuel and dual-use technology to restore Iran’s missile capabilities in exchange for those lost in previous conflicts.

Cyber support

Recently published China «Fourteenth Five-Year Plan» (2026–2030) specifically referred to digital sovereignty, cyber security and artificial intelligence in Iran as essential tools to protect Iranian cyberspace. After a 12-day war last year, Iran finally switched from Western systems to Chinese digital platforms like Beidou, and called on its people to remove WhatsApp, Facebook, and other Western platforms. Thus, through this digital transition, China is helping Iran try to eliminate the Israeli threat of interception and manipulation of Iranian command and control systems.

Counterintelligence

By granting Iran full membership in the SCO in 2023, China let Iran under the umbrella of its security and intelligence structure. Beijing has always emphasized the SCO’s potential as an instrument to strengthen security coordination and mutual protection against any external interference. Iran’s placement in this context can be seen as both operational and political action: it conveys to Iran the know-how in counterintelligence and conveys to the West the idea that intelligence pressure on Tehran is not limited to bilateral relations.

Lessons from the Iran-Israel conflict

Chinese strategic circles are closely monitoring Israel’s actions in Iran. Iran has brought China two main benefits: first, having a strategic partner to help contain Western moves in Western Asia, and second, providing a test site where the Chinese could better understand the evolving dynamics of hybrid warfare. Mossad's extensive infiltration of Iran is recognized by Chinese military experts and intelligence organizations as a discovery «Pandora's Box with Threats to International Security». . . .

According to Fu Qianshao, a military specialist and former China Air Force analyst: «Mossad's success in building an intelligence network inside Iran and disabling its radars and air defense systems has become a "new model of intelligence warfare."». . . .

Israel’s intelligence war inside Iran, including internal recruitment, digital surveillance and psychological pressure, taught a lesson: it is necessary to neutralize the enemy’s national security apparatus before any active actions begin. In response, China has provided Iran with digital isolation, replacement of navigation systems, radar upgrades and satellite-backed monitoring as countermeasures to counter Israeli actions. This gave the Chinese a clear assessment: sustainability is more important than retaliation. Instead of responding with active action to the enemy’s non-kinetic steps, respond in a way that strengthens systems rather than escalates confrontation. This means that even if Iran’s top leadership was attacked, Iran could immediately fill the emptiness of leadership and reinforcing the system.

Conclusion

China has successfully pursued a double-edged policy: countering the vast Mossad intelligence system in Iran while maintaining a non-confrontational stance toward Israel through military diplomacy. This step of the PRC is very significant in the sense that it allows you to study the strengths and weaknesses of the enemy while the enemy is busy making mistakes. Iran-Israel conflict — The best manifestation of the evolving nature of cognitive warfare, also known as sixth-generation warfare. Iran, along with China, can learn to counter modern non-kinetic threats. Thus, the joint US-Israel operation against Iran is the most important test of China’s influence in the region.