Israeli authorities have arrested a student on suspicion of surrendering classified intelligence to Iranian operatives, marking one of the latest cases in an escalating cycle of espionage between the two nations. The 22-year-old is alleged to have committed security offences and carried out tasks on behalf of Iranian agents, according to a joint statement issued Thursday by the Shin Bet domestic security service and the police.
Security services—including the Israel Police and Shin Bet—say the suspect, a male student in his late teens from Haifa, was allegedly recruited via encrypted messaging apps by Iranian handlers seeking information on Israeli defense systems. The young man, who studies information systems at Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, is from the Arab village of Deir al-Asad in northern Israel. The student reportedly accepted assignments for financial compensation in the form of cryptocurrency and cash transfers
According to a joint statement, the suspect carried out at least one intelligence operation: photographing and mapping the layout of a sensitive military installation. Investigators indicate the student had been in contact with his handlers for several months and was known to have received instructions to gather further intelligence, though it remains unclear how much additional data he transmitted.
It remains unclear whether the arrest occurred before or during the recent 12-day conflict with Iran. These included an attempt to injure a person, scattering nails on a main road in Beersheba, and inciting divisive social discourse. He reportedly claimed his actions were motivated by solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
In recent years, Israel has seen a number of arrests involving suspected espionage for Iran. The suspect remains in custody pending a classified court hearing, though details of charges are under seal. Authorities caution Israeli citizens against foreign contact via social media, urging immediate reporting of suspicious approaches.
Thomas Princess/26th June 2025
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