Israel detains 7 individuals suspected of espionage on military installations for Iran
According to police, the Israeli suspects were conscious of the fact that their actions could potentially aid the enemy in launching a missile attack.
Israel Police announced on Monday that seven Israeli citizens have been apprehended on suspicion of spying on Israel’s military bases for Iranian intelligence, marking one of the most severe cases in the country.
The suspects, including two minors, hailed from Haifa and northern Israel, allegedly carrying out numerous security tasks for Iranian intelligence over a two-year span.
Under the guidance of two Iranian intelligence agents known as “Alkhan” and “Oran,” the individuals collected information in exchange for “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in cryptocurrency.
The suspects took photos and documented critical infrastructure sites, transmitting the data to their Iranian contacts and receiving specialized equipment for their missions.
Police emphasized that the suspects understood the potential risk to Israel’s national security by passing on this information, which could aid the enemy in launching a missile attack against the country.
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Israeli authorities stated that the suspects’ espionage activities have inflicted security harm on Israel, with the investigation revealing the severity of the case.
Despite knowing that their actions would negatively impact the country, police said the suspects were motivated by financial gain. The prosecutor’s office is expected to file charges against them soon.
Israeli authorities uncovered Iran’s attempts to recruit and use Israeli citizens for espionage and terrorist operations within Israel.
The case follows the September 19 arrest of an Israeli individual allegedly recruited by Iranian intelligence to plan the assassinations of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Security Agency chief Ronen Bar.
Described as “a businessman who resided in Turkey for an extended period,” the individual had a Turkish contact who introduced him to an affluent Iranian businessman named Eddie.
The unnamed Israeli was allegedly taken to Iran twice for meetings with Eddie and an “Iranian security operative,” receiving instructions for various security missions, including transferring money or a gun, photographing crowded Israeli locations for Iranian contacts, and intimidating other Israeli recruits of Iran who had failed to complete their tasks.
