Israeli Iron Dome soldier charged with spying for Iran in exchange for $1,000 in cryptocurrency

An Israeli reserve soldier serving in the Iron Dome air defense system has been charged with spying for the Iranian regime, the Israel Police and the domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet announced on Friday.

The suspect was identified as a 26-year-old Israeli citizen, Raz Cohen, a resident of Jerusalem. Cohen is accused of receiving the equivalent of $1,000 in cryptocurrency in exchange for transmitting secret information to the Iranian regime, in the latest instance of a string of Israelis being accused of spying for the Iranians.

The indictment came at the end of a joint operation of the Shin Bet, the police’s Lahav 433 unit, often dubbed “Israel’s FBI,” and the IDF’s Military Police Criminal Investigation Division.

While carrying out his reserve duty in the Iron Dome array over the past several months, Cohen was allegedly contacted by Iranian intelligence operatives and, similar to previous incidents, asked to carry out increasingly dangerous missions in exchange for payments.

These missions included transferring sensitive security information to which he was exposed as part of his service in the Iron Dome array. The investigation showed that Cohen was aware he was corresponding with Iranian intelligence operatives during that time.

According to The Times of Israel, the information Cohen sent to the Iranian agent during December 2025 included details about the way the Iron Dome system functions, the locations of bases of the Israeli Air Force, of which Iron Dome is part, the locations of Iron Dome batteries, and the names of security officials.

“The defendant explained to the Iranian handler how the Iron Dome battery is constructed, the components of the battery, and also explained that there are other components connected to the battery spread out around the area, as well as launch sites that are not located with Iron Dome but are deployed in the periphery,” according to the indictment.

Cohen allegedly sent his handler 27 pictures and videos via the Telegram app, showing firing processes, rates of fire, the backup launcher, and procedures for arming the Iron Dome system.

In exchange for the information, Cohen received about $1,000 in cryptocurrency before the contact was ended in February 2026.

The charges against Cohen are for assisting the enemy during a war, transmitting information to the enemy with the intent to harm state security, and transmitting information that is likely to assist the enemy.

Potential sentences include life in prison but can range up to the death penalty, which has almost never been exercised in Israel’s history.

This is the first time an Iron Dome soldier has been accused of spying for Iran. Over the past several months, dozens of Israeli citizens were accused of similar offenses, often sending images or carrying out small tasks in exchange for money.

The prison system has dedicated a new wing in Haifa’s Damon prison for those accused of spying offenses on behalf of Iran. So far, one alleged spy has been convicted, with the other cases still ongoing.

In their statement, the Shin Bet and the police reiterated their warning to citizens and residents in Israel “against maintaining contact with foreign entities from enemy states and/or unidentified actors – especially performing tasks for them in exchange for payment or for any other reason.”

“These entities, including intelligence and terrorist organizations from enemy states, continue their efforts to recruit and operate Israelis for security, espionage, and terror missions within Israel, even during the current war. These actors also attempt to recruit Israelis through approaches on social media.”