Israeli security forces announced the arrest of seven Israeli citizens accused of spying for Iran, in what authorities describe as one of the most serious espionage cases in recent years. According to a joint statement by the Israeli Police and Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, the suspects had been operating as part of an Iranian espionage network for over two years, gathering sensitive intelligence on Israeli military and infrastructure sites.
The individuals arrested include five adults—Aziz Nisanov, Alexander Sedykov, Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe, and Yigal Nissan—as well as two minors. They are accused of conducting intelligence-gathering missions on key Israeli military installations, such as the Ramat David and Nevatim airbases, the Iron Dome missile defense system, and critical energy infrastructure, including the Hadera power plant. The network was reportedly tasked with carrying out some 600 surveillance missions for Iranian intelligence agents known as “Elkhan” and “Orkhan.”
Investigators allege that the suspects photographed military bases and energy facilities and relayed the information to Iranian handlers. Among the sites targeted were the Kirya, Israel’s defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, and various naval and air force installations. According to Israeli authorities, the information gathered could have aided enemy missile attacks, potentially jeopardizing national security. The group is also suspected of conducting surveillance on Israeli civilians, raising concerns about potential targeted attacks by Iranian agents.
Shin Bet officials confirmed that the espionage network was financially compensated for its activities, receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars, often through cryptocurrency transactions. The suspects used advanced equipment to photograph sensitive locations, which was provided by their Iranian handlers. The authorities further revealed that some of the suspects were arrested in southern Israel while in the process of photographing additional sensitive sites.
The arrests, made approximately 35 days ago, follow heightened Israeli-Iranian tensions, including a missile attack on October 1, in which Iran fired around 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. That attack was largely intercepted by Israeli air defenses with assistance from the United States and allied forces. Israeli officials have indicated that the suspects will face charges of aiding the enemy during wartime, among other serious security violations.
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