[file photo] Israeli military police tape at a scene, in an image shared on X with the indictment news on October 29, 2026. Photo: Adrian Shtuni (@Shtuni) via X
Israeli military prosecutors have charged a soldier with spying for Iran for about a year, saying he passed on details of his unit and bases and photographed interceptors and American refueling planes.
The soldier was arrested in September in a joint operation by the Shin Bet security service, Israel Police and military investigators, according to a joint statement by the Shin Bet, the police and the military spokesperson's unit on Thursday, which was shared in full by the Hebrew security news account Intelli Times (@IntelliTimes) and by the military correspondent Amir Bohbot (@amirbohbot). He was charged with passing information to the enemy with intent to harm state security, passing information to benefit the enemy, and contact with a foreign agent. His name was not released. The Times of Israel and Ynet also reported the indictment.
According to the statement, the soldier was in contact with Iranian agents for about a year and gave them sensitive information about his unit's activity, readiness levels and call ups in the military, including details of his own call up when the war the military calls "Roaring Lion" broke out. Investigators found that he knew his handler was Iranian and that he was paid in cryptocurrency, the statement said.
He passed on information about military bases and their coordinates, and photographed interceptors, military vehicles and American refueling planes parked at an airport in Israel, according to the statement. He also gave his handler details about friends and commanders in his unit, knowing that the handler would try to recruit them as spies, and shared a Telegram group for Israelis about to be drafted, called “Kal Bakrav” (easy in battle) according to The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post, which the handler then joined, the agencies said.
The handler told him to install malicious apps for encrypted conversations and suggested that he buy a basic "dumb" phone and a pistol, the statement said. The two agreed on code words and a cover story in case he was caught, and he was offered $200,000 to travel to Iran, according to the agencies. A military court has extended his detention until November 12, and The Times of Israel reported that he is expected to stay in custody until the end of the proceedings. The Yeshiva World, a Jewish news site, reported that he served in a combat search and rescue unit.
"This is an extremely serious case of harm to state security," the agencies said, and they urged the public to report any suspicious approach from an unknown person, any request for information, or any offer of payment for "services."
Adrian Shtuni (@Shtuni), a security analyst, wrote that the case is "not an isolated case" and that authorities have charged multiple soldiers and reservists with spying for Iran, "often via Telegram, in exchange for cryptocurrency," over the past year.
The Hebrew news account Barega News (@barega_news), citing Ynet, highlighted that the soldier photographed interceptors and American refueling planes. The news summary account HaHadashot HaHadashot (@thenewnews_isr) noted that Channel 14 gave the case detailed coverage, while Walla focused on what was photographed and the money offered.
The security agencies said they "will continue to act to thwart espionage and terror," and to seek the harshest punishment for anyone who helps the enemy.