Another Israeli arrested over alleged ties to Iranian intelligence

Police and the Shin Bet announced the arrest of a man in his 30s from the Tel Aviv suburb of Bat Yam on suspicion of maintaining contact with Iranian intelligence officials and carrying out security-related missions on their behalf.

The arrest was the result of a joint investigation by the Ayalon District police’s Crime-Fighting Unit and the Shin Bet, according to a joint statement issued by the agencies. Prosecutors said an indictment is expected in the coming days.

Authorities said the suspect allegedly initiated contact with Iranian agents through social media at the end of 2025 and carried out several assignments for them over the following months in exchange for payments transferred through various means.

The case is the latest in a growing series of alleged Iranian espionage operations involving Israeli citizens and residents, which Israeli security agencies say have increased significantly during the ongoing Swords of Iron War.

“Israel Police and the Shin Bet again warn Israeli citizens and residents against maintaining contact with foreign elements and carrying out missions for them,” the statement said. “These actions constitute a serious violation of the law and endanger state security.”

Israeli authorities have repeatedly warned that Iranian intelligence operatives frequently attempt to recruit Israelis through social media and online platforms, often offering financial compensation in exchange for information-gathering activities or other assignments.

In its January 2026 annual report, the Shin Bet said that at least 25 Israeli citizens and foreign residents were indicted for various Iran-sponsored espionage-related activities during 2025. It also documented 120 incidents involving Iranian espionage operations during the same period.

According to Israeli security officials, these activities have ranged from photographing IDF bases and government facilities and transmitting images with GPS coordinates to Iranian handlers to more serious offenses involving direct assistance to hostile actors.

Security officials warn that even seemingly minor intelligence-gathering activities can have significant consequences, as geolocated photographs and other information may be used to identify and target sensitive military or government sites.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also been linked to efforts to recruit criminal elements in Europe and potentially North America for similar low-level intelligence-gathering tasks, according to Israeli security assessments.