Two Israelis caught red-handed working as Iranian spies near Defense Minister Katz’s home were planning to move what authorities believe was an explosive device as part of their mission.
Key Takeaways
- Israeli authorities arrested Roi Mizrachi and Almog Attias, both 24, for gathering intelligence near Defense Minister Israel Katz’s home on behalf of Iran.
- The suspects were financially motivated and used a special app on a new cellphone to communicate with their Iranian handlers.
- This case is part of a growing trend of Iranian recruitment of Israeli citizens for espionage since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
- The spies were tasked with moving a bag believed to contain an explosive device near the defense minister’s residence.
- Defense Minister Katz remains defiant, stating these threats will not deter him from preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Iran’s Expanding Espionage Network in Israel
In a significant security breach, Israeli authorities arrested two citizens in late April following a joint operation by Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency. The suspects, Roi Mizrachi and Almog Attias, both 24 years old, were taken into custody for conducting intelligence-gathering missions near Defense Minister Israel Katz’s home in Kfar Ahim. The arrests highlight Iran’s aggressive espionage efforts within Israeli territory, which have intensified since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023. These incidents demonstrate the ongoing shadow war between Israel and Iran that continues to escalate alongside conventional military tensions.
According to Israeli security officials, the suspects were aware they were working under Iranian direction and were primarily motivated by financial gain. This pattern matches other recent espionage cases where Iran has targeted financially vulnerable Israelis. The security establishment has observed a troubling trend of Iranian intelligence services exploiting economic hardships to recruit Israeli citizens who typically lack specialized training in espionage. This tactic allows Iran to conduct intelligence operations on Israeli soil without deploying their own agents, creating a dangerous fifth column within Israel itself.
Shin Bet Claims Arrest of 18-Year-Old Israeli for Spying for #Iran#Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet, has claimed the arrest of an 18-year-old Israeli citizen on charges of espionage for Iran and collecting sensitive information about …https://t.co/yxP9xwCekG
— WANA News Agency (@WANAIran) May 18, 2025
Assassination Plot Against Israeli Defense Minister
The investigation revealed particularly alarming details about the suspects’ activities. Mizrachi and Attias were specifically tasked with missions near Defense Minister Katz’s residence, including the relocation of a bag believed to contain an explosive device. This suggests the operation may have been part of a broader assassination plot targeting one of Israel’s most senior security officials. Mizrachi reportedly used a newly purchased cellphone with a specialized application to maintain covert communications with his Iranian handlers, demonstrating a level of operational security that underscores the seriousness of the threat.
“In a joint operation… Roi Mizrachi and his friend, Almog Attias, both 24, were arrested at the end of April for committing security offences after collecting intelligence in Kfar Ahim,” stated Police and the Shin Bet domestic security agency.
Despite the serious nature of the plot against him, Defense Minister Katz has remained resolute in his stance against Iranian aggression. Following the arrests, Katz issued a defiant statement emphasizing that such threats would not deter him from his commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. This statement reflects the broader Israeli security establishment’s determination to counter Iranian influence and hostile activities throughout the region, regardless of the personal risks to high-ranking officials.
Pattern of Iranian Recruitment and Operations
The case of Mizrachi and Attias is not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern of Iranian espionage activity within Israel. Recently, an 18-year-old Israeli was arrested for allegedly spying on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on behalf of Iran. Other cases have involved missions to photograph military bases and plans to assassinate senior Israeli officials. These incidents demonstrate Iran’s multi-pronged approach to targeting Israel’s security infrastructure through both conventional and asymmetric means, creating a complex threat environment that Israeli security services must continuously monitor and counter.
“I will not be deterred by any threat and will continue to fulfil my duty to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons,” said Defence Minister Katz.
Israeli security officials have noted that most of the citizens recruited by Iran faced financial difficulties, making them vulnerable to exploitation. This strategy allows Iran to maintain plausible deniability while conducting operations against Israeli targets. The increasing frequency of these cases since October 2023 suggests that Iran has intensified its intelligence operations against Israel as part of its broader strategy to counter Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon. Indictments against Mizrachi and Attias are expected to be filed soon, which may reveal further details about Iran’s recruitment methods and operational protocols.
