
Iranian handlers enticed cash-strapped Israeli citizens to spy on Defense Minister Katz’s residence and potentially place an explosive device, showcasing Tehran’s brazen espionage operations inside Israeli territory.
Key Takeaways
- Two Israeli citizens, Roi Mizrachi and Almog Attias, both 24, were arrested for conducting intelligence-gathering operations near Defense Minister Israel Katz’s home on behalf of Iran.
- The suspects were tasked with relocating what’s believed to be an explosive device, suggesting assassination attempts against high-ranking Israeli officials.
- Israeli security forces have uncovered multiple cases of citizens recruited as spies for Iran since October 2023, with most suspects facing financial difficulties.
- The arrests reveal Iran’s continued efforts to exploit vulnerable Israelis for espionage and potentially terrorist activities against their own government.
- Defense Minister Katz responded defiantly, stating the threats would not deter his mission to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israeli Citizens Arrested in Joint Security Operation
Israeli police and Shin Bet security agency arrested two Israeli citizens in late April 2025 for collecting intelligence near Defense Minister Israel Katz’s residence in Kfar Ahim. The suspects, Roi Mizrachi and Almog Attias, both 24 years old, were acting on behalf of Iranian handlers in what appears to be part of an increasing trend of domestic espionage cases since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023. The arrests highlight the troubling reality that Iran continues to exploit financially vulnerable Israeli citizens to gather intelligence and potentially carry out attacks against senior government officials.
“In a joint operation… Roi Mizrachi and his friend, Almog Attias, both 24, were arrested at the end of April for committing security offences after collecting intelligence in Kfar Ahim,” stated the Police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
Shin Bet Claims Arrest of 18-Year-Old Israeli for Spying for #Iran#Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has claimed the arrest of an 18-year-old Israeli citizen on charges of espionage for Iran and collecting sensitive information about …https://t.co/yxP9xwCekG
— WANA News Agency (@WANAIran) May 18, 2025
Financial Motivation and Dangerous Assignments
According to Israeli security sources, both suspects were motivated by financial gain rather than ideological alignment with Iran. The men admitted to conducting surveillance in Kfar Ahim, where Defense Minister Katz resides. More alarmingly, they were instructed to move a bag believed to contain an explosive device, suggesting Iranian intentions may have extended beyond mere intelligence gathering to potentially plotting an assassination. This disturbing development demonstrates the lengths to which Iran will go to target Israeli officials while maintaining plausible deniability through local recruits.
Communication between the suspects and their Iranian handlers occurred through sophisticated means. Mizrachi used a newly purchased cellphone with a special application specifically for these interactions, demonstrating Iran’s operational security measures to avoid detection. This methodology aligns with previous espionage cases where Iranian intelligence agencies have established covert communication channels with recruited agents inside Israel. Indictments against both men are expected to be filed soon as Israeli authorities build their case against what appears to be a serious security breach.
Growing Pattern of Iranian Espionage
This case is not isolated but part of a concerning pattern that has emerged since the Gaza conflict began. Israeli security forces recently arrested an 18-year-old Israeli for allegedly spying on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett for Iran. Other cases involved suspects photographing military bases and plotting to assassinate senior Israeli officials, including a businessman who had been tasked with killing defense officials and a U.S. general. These repeated incidents highlight Iran’s persistent efforts to undermine Israeli security from within.
“I will not be deterred by any threat and will continue to fulfil my duty to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” declared Defence Minister Katz in response to the arrests.
What makes these espionage cases particularly concerning is the profile of the recruited spies. Most suspects lacked special training and were primarily motivated by financial difficulties rather than ideological commitment to Iran. This suggests Iranian intelligence services are deliberately targeting vulnerable Israeli citizens who might be willing to compromise national security for monetary gain. The trend reveals a calculated strategy by Iran to leverage economic hardship as a recruitment tool while avoiding the risks associated with deploying their own agents inside Israel.
Enhanced Security Measures and Defiant Response
In response to these mounting threats, Israeli security agencies have intensified protection around high-profile government officials. The successful interception of these espionage attempts demonstrates the effectiveness of Israel’s counterintelligence operations, yet the recurring nature of these incidents suggests Iran remains persistent in its efforts. President Trump’s administration has consistently supported Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian aggression, which includes these covert operations aimed at Israeli leadership. The arrests reaffirm the continuing hostilities between Israel and Iran despite ongoing diplomatic efforts elsewhere in the region.
Defense Minister Katz’s defiant response to the spying attempts reflects the broader Israeli government stance toward Iranian threats. His statement emphasizing his continued commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons indicates that these intimidation tactics will not succeed in altering Israel’s strategic objectives. The incident further solidifies the perception among conservatives that Iran remains a persistent threat to both Israeli and American interests in the Middle East, requiring vigilance and a firm response from both nations.