Police arrest multiple Israelis accused of spying for Iran

An Israeli man remains in custody after police accused him of gathering intelligence on behalf of Iran at a hotel on the Dead Sea where he worked. 

The unidentified 23-year-old was arrested “in recent days” during a joint operation by Israeli police and Shin Bet, the country’s internal security agency, authorities said Friday.

The investigation began after suspicions arose that he had been in contact with Iranian agents who allegedly tasked him to gather any useful intelligence at the hotel. Police said they have evidence he collected information and photographs at the hotel and the surrounding areas, Israeli authorities said in a statement.

He isn’t the first Israeli citizen to be accused of spying for Iran against his own country.

Earlier this week, police said two Tel Aviv-area men were arrested in August on suspicion that they were spying on behalf of Tehran. One of the men, Maor Kringle, 26, first made contact with Iranian officials in early 2025, officials said.

He is accused of carrying out “a variety of security missions under [Iran’s] direction, including photographing military bases and public places in Israel.” He asked Iran for additional intelligence assignments during Israel’s June 2025 military campaign against Tehran’s nuclear program, police said Friday on the Telegram social messaging site.

Mr. Kringle allegedly made contact with Iran through a company called VIPemployment and accepted an offer to carry out security missions and recruit other Israeli citizens in exchange for cryptocurrency. At least one member of the intelligence network, 26-year-old Tal Amram, was also arrested on suspicion of contacting a foreign agent and carrying out missions at his direction, Israeli officials said.

An indictment is expected to be filed “in the coming days,” officials said.