Episode 1 of "Tehran" kicks off in the bustling city of Amman, Jordan, as Flight 159 prepares to embark on its journey to New Delhi. A mysterious young woman, veiled in a Niqāb, gracefully ascends the aircraft's stairs, her identity later unveiled as Tamar, a covert operative for Mossad. Seated beside her, a companion offers reassurance, a calming presence amidst the impending storm.
However, the tranquility is shattered by the arrival of two passengers, Shira and Yoni, who draw unwanted attention for reasons all too apparent. They pose for a selfie amidst the cabin's chatter, unaware of the fateful turn their journey is about to take.
As the plane lifts off, the skies turn treacherous, a malfunctioning engine sending the craft into a tumultuous dance. The pilot's grim announcement reverberates: an unscheduled landing in Tehran, a city where their Israeli identities could prove fatal.
Panic grips Shira and Yoni as the plane's wheels touch down on Iranian soil. Disembarking, they're met with a chilling reality: passports confiscated, escorted through a chaotic terminal under the watchful eye of security. Along the way, Shira's stomach churns with fear, leading her to a fleeting moment of privacy in the restroom.
Inside, a fleeting recognition ignites—Tamar, disguised in the guise of a flight attendant named Zhila, now adorned with a Niqāb, sits alongside a man portraying her husband, Milad. The tables have turned, and Shira realizes she's not the only one with secrets to keep in this unexpected detour through Tehran.
He beseeches for the codes, yet she stands oblivious to their whereabouts, ignorant even until the twilight hours of 6 pm that evening. Within the hallowed halls of Mossad Headquarters, the team's tranquility is shattered by a call from the bustling Tehran airport. Milad's urgent voice echoes over the line, reiterating the dire news: they have a mere four hours before the codes fall into the wrong hands.
As Yoni and Shira are ushered into the interrogation chamber, Shira finds herself compelled to veil her head, a symbol of submission amidst their uncertain fate. Meanwhile, Tamar stealthily departs the airport, disguised as a pilot, her fingers dancing across her phone's keys to dispatch a terse message: two Israelis have been ensnared within the airport's confines.
This tidbit of information wings its way to Faraz, a man whose mind races with the consequences, swiftly plotting his next move. He arrives at the airport, his presence commanding as he splits the duo apart, opting to confront Shira in solitude. His inquiries delve into Tamar and the enigmatic encounter within the confines of the ladies' room.
A swift, stinging slap across Shira's cheek precedes her confession: they were comrades on the base, but her domain lay in soldier welfare, leaving her in the dark about the true extent of Tamar's clandestine duties.
Faraz's superior's voice crackles through the phone, instructing him to release the woman, wary of igniting an international incident. Yet, Faraz's resolve remains unyielding, his curiosity a relentless force as he demands access to the CCTV footage, determined to uncover the truth hidden within the shadows of the women's restroom.
As Tamar arrives at her designated location, Zhila's husband anxiously inquires about Zhila's wellbeing, his eyes betraying his concern. Tamar assures him with a steady voice that all is proceeding smoothly, as she discreetly dials into Mossad to uncover the elusive codes. Among her vast network of contacts, there lies an Iranian hacker, a potential game-changer, who she skillfully persuades to unravel the digital maze.
Moments later, Tamar stands before a mirror, her hands meticulously transforming her appearance, striving to mirror Zhila's every feature. But time is a relentless adversary, and Faraz, the cunning security operative, is closing the noose. He scrutinizes the CCTV footage, a hint of triumph flickering in his eyes as he uncovers the switcheroo.
Meanwhile, within the bowels of Mossad, they receive word that their operative is now embedded, as Tamar seamlessly blends into Zhila's professional life. Her fingers dance across the keyboard, infiltrating the heart of the system, demanding the codes from her hacker accomplice. Victory seems within reach as the firewall crumbles before her.
Yet, this is no solo endeavor. In the midst of her digital conquest, a figure emerges from the shadows, severing her connection and setting off a thrilling chase through the labyrinthine corridors. The intruder attempts to overpower her, but Tamar, a force to be reckoned with, retaliates with fierce strength, rendering him unconscious. But her triumph is fleeting as the fallen man's body betrays him, a crimson puddle spreading beneath him, just as another ominous presence looms in the distance, casting a pall of uncertainty over the tense scene.
