3 Israelis arrested on suspicion of working for Iran

By Abdelraouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Three Israelis were arrested on suspicion of working for Iran, Israel's Shin Bet domestic security service said on Tuesday.

A joint statement by the Shin Bet and police said the three suspects were arrested over the past two weeks for carrying out actions under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents.

It identified one of the suspects as Elimelech Stern, 21, stating he was in contact with Iranian agents through the Telegram application using a profile named "ANNA ELENA."

According to the statement, the suspect was tasked with various actions, including hanging signs in Tel Aviv, concealing money in several locations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, delivering packages containing severed animal heads, and starting fires in forests.

The Shin Bet said Stern agreed to carry out these activities, except for causing harm or starting fires in forests, and received payment in cryptocurrency.

The other two suspects, recruited by Stern, underwent investigation and were later released pending further inquiry into their case.

Shin Bet said such a way of recruiting Israelis is "a well-known method of operation for the Iranian intelligence agencies."

There has been no comment from Iranian authorities regarding these allegations.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar