Israel
Tenth Israeli arrested over Iranian espionage plot
The suspect is alleged to have been paid to spy on a key nuclear site
March 24, 2025 11:00
By, Jewish News Syndicate
1 min read
The suspect is alleged to have been paid to spy on a key nuclear site
March 24, 2025 11:00ByItsik Saban, Jewish News Syndicate
The Israel Police and Shin Bet have arrested another Israeli citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran – marking at least the tenth such arrest in the past six months
The man was detained on Sunday over alleged security offences and collaboration with Iranian intelligence operatives, including performing directed missions in exchange for payments totalling tens of thousands of dollars.
According to investigators, the suspect established contact with an individual claiming to be an Azerbaijani citizen based in Dubai beginning in October. He allegedly completed numerous assignments on behalf of this contact, including surveillance and photography of critical infrastructure and security installations across Israel.
His targets allegedly included IDF bases, Haifa Port, the Haifa oil refineries and the Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona.
The Southern District Attorney's Office is expected to file charges against him in court later today.
In their statement, security officials added, "The Shin Bet and Israel Police again warn citizens and residents of the State of Israel against maintaining contact with foreign entities from enemy states and/or unidentified sources, let alone carrying out missions for them in exchange for payment or any other reason.
"These entities, including intelligence and terror operatives from enemy states, continue their efforts to recruit and deploy Israelis to carry out security, terror and espionage missions in Israel. These entities also attempt to recruit Israelis through approaches on social media."
The suspect was at least the tenth Israeli citizen to be arrested in connection with Tehran’s espionage programme in the past six months.
Last month, Petach Tikvah resident Daniel Kitov was charged after allegedly committing pro-Iran and pro-Hamas vandalism at the behest of intelligence agents affiliated with the Islamic regime.
A month before that, two IDF reserve soldiers were indicted for allegedly transmitting classified information about the Iron Dome aerial-defense system to Iranian handlers.
And in October last year, a group of seven Azerbaijani-Israelis from Haifa were charged with aiding an enemy in wartime after allegedly spying for Iran for as long as two years, including surveilling military bases and security officials.