Ex-Mossad Chief Meir Dagan no more

Meir Dagan, former head of Israel's spy agency Mossad, attends the Foreign Affairs and Defence committee meeting in parliament, in Jerusalem, in this file photo taken December 18, 2006. Mr. Dagan, under whose leadership, the Mossad reportedly carried out covert attacks against Iranian nuclear scientists and unleashed cyber-attacks, including the Stuxnet virus that delayed the Iranian nuclear program and at the same time opposed military attack on Iran, has died. He was 71.

Meir Dagan, a former Israeli general and long-time director of its spy agency, has died. He was 71.

Mr. Dagan directed the Mossad from 2002 to 2011. Under his leadership, the Mossad reportedly carried out covert attacks against Iranian nuclear scientists and unleashed cyber-attacks, including the Stuxnet virus that delayed the Iranian nuclear program.

Also, he opposed military strike on Iran

After he stepped down, Mr. Dagan was also a fierce opponent of a military strike in Iran. He openly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opposition to the recently implemented nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.

Born in 1945 in Ukraine to Holocaust survivors, Mr. Dagan reached the rank of General in the Israeli army and was known for innovations in battling terrorism.

He is survived by his wife and three children.