Israeli Man Charged in Iranian Espionage Case Exposed by Shin Bet

Israeli security officials revealed on Sunday that a 27-year-old resident of Kiryat Yam has been charged with passing sensitive information to Iranian intelligence operatives. The Shin Bet said he transferred photos and locations of sensitive sites in Israel and used his partner, a reservist in the Air Force, to obtain additional military details.

According to the Shin Bet and Israel Police, the man, identified as Shimon Azarzar, was arrested in October 2025 along with his partner on suspicion of maintaining prolonged contact with Iranian intelligence and carrying out missions at their direction. The agencies said the case is in line with ongoing efforts by Iranian operatives to recruit Israelis online and gain access to operational intelligence.

A joint announcement from the Shin Bet and Israel Police said Azarzar had transferred “photos and locations of sensitive sites in Israel” to his Iranian handlers, and had exploited his girlfriend’s reserve service to obtain “various details about the IDF and Air Force bases.” The investigation found the couple had been in contact with Iranian operatives for more than a year.

The Shin Bet said investigators discovered that Azarzar conducted multiple tasks for his Iranian contacts, including documenting sensitive sites and offering to obtain additional material from inside IDF bases. He allegedly communicated with his handlers through digital platforms and provided information based on their instructions. Azarzar offered to collect “essential information from IDF bases” for his handlers. Over the course of the connection, investigators said, he transmitted images, locations, and other details he believed would be beneficial to Iranian intelligence.

Authorities said Azarzar used his relationship with his partner, who was serving reserve duty at an Air Force base, to extract information about the IDF, Air Force facilities, and additional operational details. The partner, who was also arrested, provided him with certain information he later relayed to Iranian operatives. Security officials noted that this case marks the 31st Iranian espionage affair uncovered since the war began.

On Sunday morning, prosecutors filed an indictment against Azarzar at the Haifa District Court for multiple security offenses. The Shin Bet and Police again warned Israelis against engaging with foreign elements from enemy states or unidentified online contacts, “and certainly against carrying out missions for them in exchange for payment or for any other reason.”

Security officials said Israel’s agencies will continue to work to expose and thwart espionage efforts inside the country and will seek full prosecution for anyone involved in such activity.