Israel Arrests 7 Citizens for Espionage on Behalf of Iran, Citing ‘Significant Harm’ to National Security

Israeli authorities on Monday announced the dismantling of an Iranian spy ring operating in northern Israel, leading to the arrest of seven Israeli citizens. The suspects, accused of providing intelligence to Iran, are alleged to have compromised sensitive military and energy infrastructure, posing a significant threat to national security.

A joint operation by the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, and the Israeli Police identified the suspects as Aziz Nisanov, Alexander Sedykov, Vyacheslav Gushchin, Yevgeny Yoffe, Yigal Nissan, and two minors whose names remain confidential. The individuals, operating under the code names “Elkhan” and “Orkhan,” are accused of espionage.

“The scale and severity of these acts are among the most dangerous security breaches Israel has faced. The suspects acted knowingly, driven by financial greed, and compromised the safety of Israel and its citizens,” the Israeli Police stated.

The suspects, residing in Haifa and other northern Israeli locations, are believed to have gathered intelligence on Israeli military bases, including air force and naval installations, as well as Israel’s nuclear facilities. They are further suspected of relaying information to Iranian intelligence on Israel’s critical energy infrastructure, including its largest power station in Hadera.

According to the Shin Bet, the spy network used sophisticated equipment to photograph sensitive locations, exchanging the intelligence for hundreds of thousands of dollars, some paid using cryptocurrency. The suspects are alleged to have targeted not only military and energy infrastructure but also individual Israeli citizens.

The Israeli investigation, conducted in coordination with security agencies and the Israel Defense Forces, uncovered that specific citizens were targeted with malicious intent. Several suspects were reportedly apprehended while surveilling an Israeli citizen, believed to be the target of a planned Iranian attack.

“The group’s activities caused significant harm to Israel’s national security, with intelligence collected on military bases and energy infrastructure at a time when the country is engaged in multiple conflict zones,” a senior Shin Bet official stated.

The suspects are expected to face indictment in the coming days.

While the announcement of the Iranian spy network comes amidst heightened tensions between Jerusalem and Tehran, it is not the first time Israeli security teams have uncovered such a scheme. In August, another Israeli citizen was arrested for allegedly aiding Iran in planning future attacks, including those targeting former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.