Daijiworld Media Network – Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv, Dec 20: Israel on Friday charged a Russian citizen with spying for Iran, alleging that the individual photographed Israeli ports and infrastructure under the direction of Iranian intelligence. According to Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, the suspect was paid in digital currency for the intelligence activities.

The indictment highlights the intensifying shadow war between Israel and Iran, which escalated into a more direct conflict in June when Israel conducted strikes inside Iran, including operations involving Mossad commandos deployed deep within Iranian territory.

Over the years, Israel has arrested dozens of citizens accused of spying for Iran, marking what sources describe as Tehran’s largest infiltration effort in decades. Iranian operatives reportedly targeted ordinary Israelis, offering money in exchange for gathering intelligence or carrying out attacks.

In response to past arrest waves, Iran’s UN mission stated in 2024 that it neither confirmed nor denied efforts to recruit Israelis, but suggested that Iranian intelligence would logically focus on non-Iranian, non-Muslim individuals to reduce suspicion.

The case underscores ongoing high-stakes espionage in the region, where Iran has executed individuals accused of links with Mossad and facilitating its operations inside Iran, reflecting the dangerous and complex nature of the Israel-Iran intelligence rivalry.