Israeli police have arrested seven citizens who they say were paid by Iran to collect intelligence for over two years.
In a statement released Monday, Israel’s internal security agency and police said that the seven collected information about other Israelis and photographed Israeli military installations, including missile defense systems, air force and naval sites, and power plants.
Iran paid them paid hundreds of thousands of dollars, often in cryptocurrency, the statement said. It did not provide evidence for the alleged plot.
Israeli authorities say they have foiled several recent plots by Iran that involved recruiting Israelis for espionage or assassinations.
Israel has vowed to retaliate for Iran’s Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack. Israeli air defenses shot down most of the missiles, but some hit Israeli military installations.
Israel and Iran have waged a shadow war for years that burst to the surface after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack triggered the war in Gaza. Israel and Iran exchanged fire directly for the first time in April.
Iran supports armed groups across the region, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
