Israel Arrests Two Accused of Spying on Defense Minister for Iran

People walk next to a mural with the Iranian national flag in Tehran, Iran, 11 May 2025. (EPA)
People walk next to a mural with the Iranian national flag in Tehran, Iran, 11 May 2025. (EPA)
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Israel Arrests Two Accused of Spying on Defense Minister for Iran

People walk next to a mural with the Iranian national flag in Tehran, Iran, 11 May 2025. (EPA)
People walk next to a mural with the Iranian national flag in Tehran, Iran, 11 May 2025. (EPA)

Israeli authorities said Tuesday that they had arrested two citizens suspected of carrying out "intelligence-gathering missions" at Iran's behest near the defense minister's home.

The arrests are the latest in a spate of cases in which Israel has charged its own citizens with spying for the country's arch-foe since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023.

Police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency said that "in a joint operation... Roi Mizrachi and his friend, Almog Attias, both 24, were arrested at the end of April for committing security offenses after collecting intelligence in Kfar Ahim", where Defense Minister Israel Katz lives.

The men were acting "on behalf of Iran" and motivated by "financial gain", said the statement from the security agencies.

On Sunday, authorities announced the arrest of an 18-year-old Israeli accused of spying on former prime minister Naftali Bennet, also for Iran.

Other cases uncovered recently included alleged missions ranging from photographing military bases to plotting to kill senior Israeli officials.

Police said most suspects did not have special training and had faced financial difficulties.

Defense Minister Katz said in a statement he would not be "deterred" by attempts to spy on him.

"Iran is... directly advancing terrorist activity and supporting terrorist organizations that act against Israeli leaders and against all citizens of the State of Israel," he said.

"I will not be deterred by any threat and will continue to fulfil my duty to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons."

The Shin Bet and police said that Mizrachi and Attias were asked to carry out a number of missions near Katz's home.

Mizrachi had purchased a new cellphone and used "a special app" to communicate with his Iranian handlers, the security agencies said in their statement.

The pair were "fully aware they were acting under Iranian direction", the statement added.

Among the tasks Mizrachi had allegedly carried out, the agencies said he moved "a bag buried in the ground from one location to another" thinking that it "contained an explosive device".

Indictments against the two men are expected to be filed in the coming days, the statement said.



Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Says Iran Issuing Death Threats

Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
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Nobel Laureate Mohammadi Says Iran Issuing Death Threats

Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP
Narges Mohammadi has been jailed repeatedly over the past 25 years - AFP

Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, who won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her fight for women's and human rights in Iran, has received death threats from Tehran, the Nobel Committee said Friday.

Mohammadi, who has spent much of the past decade behind bars, was released from Tehran's Evin prison in December for a limited period on medical leave, with her legal team repeatedly warning that she could be re-arrested at any time, AFP reported.

Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said in a statement he had received an "urgent phone call" from Mohammadi, 53, who said her life was now in danger.

"The clear message, in her own words, is that 'I have been directly and indirectly threatened with 'physical elimination' by agents of the regime'," he said.

"The threats conveyed to Ms. Mohammadi make it clear that her security is at stake, unless she commits to end all public engagement within Iran, as well as any international advocacy or media appearances in support of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression," the statement added.

The Committee said it was "deeply concerned" about the threats against Mohammadi and "all Iranian citizens with a critical voice, and call upon the authorities to safeguard not only their lives, but also their freedom of expression."

Mohammadi has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran's widespread use of capital punishment and its mandatory dress code for women.

She won the Nobel primarily for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran. Her children collected the award on her behalf as she was in prison at the time.