A man in his 30s from Bat Yam was taken into custody on suspicion of staying in touch with Iranian intelligence agents and performing security-related assignments on their behalf, according to a joint announcement from Israel Police and the Shin Bet released on Monday.

Prosecutors submitted a formal statement against the individual following a covert probe conducted by the Ayalon District police Crime-Fighting Unit alongside the Shin Bet. An official indictment is anticipated within days.

Investigators determined that the suspect reached out to an Iranian contact through social media toward the close of 2025 and consented to execute multiple assignments in return for funds sent during those exchanges.

Authorities detained the man in May 2026 during the coordinated operation. Further inquiry strengthened the case, showing that in the period leading up to his arrest he had maintained communication with Iranian intelligence personnel and completed several tasks tied to security matters.

Police and the Shin Bet characterized the matter as a serious espionage incident involving alleged dealings with a foreign operative.

Agencies Caution Public on Foreign Contacts

The joint statement urged Israeli citizens and residents to avoid any interaction with foreign parties or fulfillment of requests from them. Such conduct breaches the law and poses risks to national security.

Officials pledged ongoing collaboration with defense partners to detect, disrupt, and prosecute individuals who assist adversarial entities, thereby safeguarding the country and its population.

Recruitment Efforts Rise Amid Conflict

This development follows multiple alerts from security services regarding Iranian attempts to enlist Israelis through online platforms, messaging services, or monetary incentives for operations within the country.

Reports from earlier this year highlighted a rising number of instances where Iranian handlers allegedly approached Israelis via social media or apps, provided payments, and issued assignments that sometimes grew more complex.

The Shin Bet noted a sharp increase in such recruitment during the ongoing war. Its January 2026 report indicated that 25 Israelis and foreign residents faced charges for Iran-related spying in 2025, while 120 additional incidents were prevented.

Financial gain has emerged as a key driver in many investigations. A police source noted in mid-2025 that monetary offers featured prominently in several cases involving suspected cooperation with Iranian agencies.

Recent examples include online approaches, cryptocurrency transfers, and tasks that started simply. Prosecutors charged a 14-year-old in March with completing paid work for hostile actors believed to be Iranian. Separately, a Tel Aviv resident faced arrest for contacting an Iranian handler and carrying out assignments such as photographing locations in Israel.