Before Israel initiated its conflict with Iran last month, its security agency unraveled an extensive network of its citizens who had been caught spying for Tehran, a scale of espionage that has astonished the nation. Since Iran’s first volley of missiles hit Israel in April 2024, over 30 Israelis have been indicted for aiding Iranian intelligence.
In numerous instances, the connections began with cryptic messages offering money for information or for simple tasks. The payments escalated alongside requests for increasingly dangerous missions. Despite court documents indicating that the surge in Iranian spy operations over the past year had limited success in achieving its high-level objectives, such as targeting key Israeli officials, it did manage to amass data on strategic sites which later became targets for Iranian ballistic missiles.
Meanwhile, Israel’s own intelligence agency, the Mossad, was able to infiltrate Iran and locate and eliminate significant parts of Iran’s military hierarchy and nuclear scientists, marking a devastating success. In response, Iran has arrested over 700 individuals suspected of spying for Israel, according to the Fars news agency; however, these trials have been shrouded in secrecy, and at least six have led to immediate executions, complicating the assessment of the authenticity of these alleged espionage operations.
In contrast, the prosecutions of Israelis accused of spying for Iran are well-documented, with detailed indictments filed. Even though only one conviction has emerged from the recent spate of arrests, the court documents provide a clear image of how Iran attempted to cast a wide net to ensnare potential agents. Recruitment typically started with a text from an anonymous sender, sometimes leading to offers of money for seemingly innocuous tasks.
Upon acceptance, recruits might be instructed to set up PayPal accounts and cryptocurrency apps to receive funds. The tasks initially involved minimal risks, such as dispersing leaflets or taking photographs of sensitive locations. However, these tasks would later evolve into more sinister demands. One notable example includes the request for a suspect to murder a nuclear scientist, for which they were offered a substantial sum.
Interestingly, Mordechai “Moti” Maman, a 72-year-old Israeli, found himself at the center of such a scheme. He was approached by alleged Iranian intelligence operatives who promised him substantial sums for various tasks, including leaving weapons or cash at specific sites in Israel, taking photos of crowded areas, and conveying threats to other agents. When Maman refused to assassinate high-ranking Israeli officials for $150,000, the Iranians countered by proposing lower-profile targets, such as the former prime minister Naftali Bennett, for $400,000. Maman insisted on a $1 million reward for his services.
Maman’s story shines a light on the dangerous dance of espionage, where unsuspecting individuals can become pawns in larger geopolitical games. His plea of ignorance about Eddie’s true identity and his subsequent conviction and imprisonment highlight the harsh penalties for those who even appear to play along with such schemes, even if driven by naivety or desperation.
Besserglick, Maman’s lawyer, criticized the harshness of the 10-year sentence, which was handed down in April, arguing that his client was unaware of the gravity of his actions and was coerced by threats to his safety. Despite this, the Israeli legal system remains resolute in its commitment to punishing those who engage with enemy states, regardless of their initial intent or the extent of their involvement.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/06/how-iran-sought-to-recruit-spies-in-israel
