Official statements from the governments of Israel, Iran, Azerbaijan, or Russia reported by major news outlets

Israel Arrests Seven Azeri-Israelis for Spying for Iran on Military Sites

Oct 21, 2024, 01:25 PM

Israeli authorities have arrested seven Israeli citizens of Azeri origin on suspicion of spying for Iran, in what officials describe as one of the most serious espionage cases in the country's history. The suspects, all Jewish residents of Haifa and northern Israel, including a deserter soldier, two minors, and a father and son, are alleged to have carried out over 600 missions over the past two years. They reportedly gathered intelligence on sensitive military sites, including Israel Defense Forces (IDF) bases, airbases such as Nevatim and Ramat David, the Kiriya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, Iron Dome missile defense batteries, and energy infrastructure. Investigators say the information collected was relayed to Iranian agents, sometimes via Russian contacts, and that some of the sites were subsequently targeted in Iranian missile attacks. The suspects, who hold dual Israeli and Azerbaijani citizenship, are also accused of receiving payments, including in cryptocurrency, from their Iranian handlers. Prosecutors expect to file indictments on Friday. The arrests were announced by police on Monday.