Israel arrests citizen over Iranian spy plot targeting nuclear, military facilities

As cases of Israelis being hired by Iranian operatives continue to soar, Israel Police says it has arrested a 65-year-old accused of carrying out surveillance and photography missions for Iran at infrastructure and security sites in Israel.

Named as Eduard Yusupov, the statement from Israeli Police said: “Based on the findings of the investigation, it can be said that Yusupov was operated by Iranian intelligence elements.”

He is said to have agreed to carry out the missions starting last October, for a fee of tens of thousands of dollars paid in crypto currency after being approached by a person who identified himself as an Azerbaijani citizen living in Dubai.

“[Yusupov] had carried out numerous missions for him, including surveillance and photography missions related to infrastructure and security sites in Israel, including IDF bases, the Haifa Port, the Haifa refineries, and the Nuclear Research Center,” the statement added.

It shows a recurring pattern in the actions of Iranian intelligence, using agents of Azeri origin who recruit via social media networks, targeting in this case and others, Israeli citizens of Caucasian origin.

Israeli intelligence analyst Ronen Solomon, said it shows the breadth of languages Iranian operatives are working with to target weaker elements of Israeli society who often come from lower economic brackets or less integrated groups.

He wrote on X: “Both in Israel and when traveling abroad, don't think that Iranian intelligence only speaks Persian. They may sit next to you in a hotel or casino and chat in your language as well.”

Last month, 73-year-old Israeli, Moti Maman, received a 12-year sentence for spying for Iran and plotting to assassinate Israeli leaders including the country’s PM and defense chief, in what the prosecution called a “deterrence” punishment as the number of Iran-backed plots foiled shot up by 400% alongside Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and conflict with Iran’s allies in the region.

“During the year, 13 serious espionage affairs by Israelis were exposed and thwarted for the Iranian intelligence agencies, and serious indictments were filed against 27 Israelis,” a statement said.