The Israel Police and the Israel Security Agency (Shabak/Shin Bet) today (Tuesday) completed a severe security investigation against a foreign national who operated on behalf of the Islamic Republic within Israeli territory. The suspect, an American citizen in his 20s, was arrested on June 9, 2026, following targeted indications received from international security agencies. He was interrogated on suspicion of maintaining contact with a foreign agent and severely harming state security. Today, a prosecutor’s statement was filed against him in court ahead of the submission of an indictment and a request for remand until the end of proceedings.
2+The complex investigation, which was conducted under a sweeping gag order, was led by the Central Unit of the Jerusalem District and the Interrogation Division of the Shabak. The findings of the investigation revealed that over the past few months, the suspect maintained continuous and clandestine contact with handlers representing Iranian intelligence agencies.
As part of his operation, the young man was required to carry out a series of missions on the ground, primarily focusing on the documentation, surveillance, and detailed photography of sensitive and strategic sites throughout the country. The investigation shows that the foreign national’s motive was financial: for every photography or collection mission he completed and transferred to his handlers, he received a monetary payment ranging from tens to hundreds of dollars.
2+The suspect’s detention was extended from time to time by the court to allow Yamar and Shabak investigators to perform complementary technological and forensic actions and to establish a solid evidentiary infrastructure. Today, with the official conclusion of the investigation, the prosecutor’s statement was submitted, indicating the intention to file a severe criminal-security indictment against him in the coming days.
The head of investigations, Chief Inspector Amichai Panta from the Interrogation Division of Jerusalem Yamar, commented on the exposure of the case, stating: “In recent months, several defendants have been exposed for espionage on behalf of the enemy, some of whom committed these acts during a time of war, thereby assisting the enemy in realizing their plots inside Israeli territory. Together with the Israel Security Agency, we will continue to locate and expose offenses of this nature, and to arrest and prosecute anyone who harms or endangers the security of the state and its citizens.”
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This case joins a series of severe preventions carried out by the Police and the Shabak in recent months, exposing an increased and unprecedented Iranian effort to recruit agents inside Israel—both local citizens and foreign nationals who exploit their accessibility and the foreign passports in their possession to move freely and document sensitive infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the State Attorney’s Office submitted a severe indictment to the Tel Aviv District Court against Nissan Aviv from Bat Yam. The indictment attributes severe espionage offenses to Aviv, including contact with a foreign agent and delivering information to the enemy, after he provided sensitive information to a hostile entity via the Telegram application in exchange for monetary payment.