Police uncover Iranian-linked espionage case involving Haifa-area minors

Together they carried out security-related tasks, including spray-painting anti-government graffiti, photographing strategic sites in central Israel, and attempting to recruit additional minors.

By Gil Tanenbaum, TPS

Israel Police solved a security case involving several minors, residents of the Haifa and Krayot area, who maintained ongoing contact with a foreign agent working on behalf of Iranian intelligence, following a covert investigation.

The case began with the arrest of a minor at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of espionage and contact with a foreign agent.

The investigation found the initial contact was established while the suspect was searching for a job online.

The foreign agent used a “gradual approach,” starting with seemingly innocent tasks such as distributing flyers, before demanding full identification through photographs.

As the connection deepened, the suspect recruited a second minor.

Together they carried out security-related tasks, including spray-painting anti-government graffiti, photographing strategic sites in central Israel, and attempting to recruit additional minors.

The suspects received monetary payments totaling a few thousand Shekels.