Fmr Mossad counterterrorism head discusses Israeli intelligence on Iran
Oded Ailam, a former Mossad counterterrorism head and JCSFA Senior Researcher, reveals Israeli intelligence’s technique to harness inside Iranian dissent. Mossad has issued a message in Farsi, asking Iranian residents to supply pictures and movies of oppressive regime forces. Ailam notes Israel’s 2,200+ strikes in opposition to Iran-connected targets this week, together with a pure gasoline discipline and Hezbollah property in Lebanon.
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The arrest of two Israeli Air Force personnel on allegations of espionage has underscored Iran’s increasing efforts to penetrate Israel’s navy by recruiting operatives from inside.
Over the previous yr and a half, Israeli police, working alongside the Shin Wager (Israel Safety Company), have investigated greater than 20 circumstances involving an estimated 40 to 50 suspects. Most stay in custody, although investigators consider further suspects are nonetheless at giant.
Capt. Sefi Berger of the Israel Police’s Lahav Worldwide and Main Crimes Unit, which investigates Iranian espionage circumstances, instructed Fox Information Digital that Tehran primarily seeks intelligence that might support assault planning, together with info on high-profile people and different delicate targets.
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Ami Gaydarov was arrested on March 9 by Israeli authorities on suspicion of working with Iranian handlers to hurt a high-ranking official. (Israeli Police)
Funds differ extensively. One community of seven suspects reportedly obtained about $300,000, whereas an Iron Dome reservist was allegedly paid $1,000 — and in some circumstances, even much less.
“Folks might imagine they’ll get wealthy, however the cash just isn’t life-changing,” Berger stated. “In a single case final yr involving two troopers, one obtained simply $21 and has been in jail for a yr and a half.”
Iranian recruitment techniques embrace infiltrating WhatsApp and Fb teams utilized by Israelis searching for freelance work, in addition to pornography web sites, the place brokers allegedly use compromising materials to blackmail people into cooperating. Recruitment additionally depends on emotional manipulation of people whose ethical judgment could also be compromised.
“When recruiting an individual, a relationship can develop between the handler and the spy. Typically the asset is in search of a father determine or a good friend — somebody who listens with out judgment,” Berger stated.
Former Shin Wager handler Gonen Ben Itzhak, who spent years recruiting sources inside Palestinian society, instructed Fox Information Digital that the difficulty is especially severe, saying he has not beforehand seen so many makes an attempt — and a few profitable circumstances — of spying in opposition to Israel.
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Israel Police arresting a suspect in relation to Iranian espionage in Haifa. (Israel Police Spokesperson)
“The million-dollar query is who makes recruit. We don’t have a transparent reply. There are specific indicators that somebody could also be extra prone. The Iranians use social media — one thing we didn’t have in the identical means —and it’s a robust software to establish potential motives,” he stated.
As a handler, Ben Itzhak stated he sought to recruit as many viable candidates as potential whereas avoiding people more likely to entice suspicion, equivalent to recognized criminals. He described the method as gradual and infrequently unsure.
“At first, they should agree to satisfy in secret. Typically they arrive however gained’t share info. I might begin with easy questions — who leads Hamas of their village,” he stated.
“Typically it takes time. Some refuse to cooperate, some might even act as double brokers. In lots of circumstances, they’re skilled to gather info with out being uncovered. It’s a course of,” Ben Itzhak added.
In March, 22-year-old Haifa resident Ami Gaydarov was arrested on suspicion of producing explosives supposed to focus on a senior Israeli determine on the route of an Iranian agent.
A billboard depicting Iran’s supreme leaders since 1979: (L to R) Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini (till 1989), Ali Khamenei (till 2026), and Mojtaba Khamenei (incumbent) is displayed above a freeway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. Iran marked the appointment of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei to interchange his father as its supreme chief on March 9, 2026. (AFP/Through Getty Photos)
Final month, a person from the Israeli-Arab metropolis of Qalansawe was detained on suspicion of allegedly spying for “a hostile actor, mediated by the Al Jazeera channel.” In accordance with the investigation, Miqdad Moder Hosni Natur made contact together with his handler after being launched whereas looking for job alternatives by the Qatari-owned information group.
Underneath Israeli regulation, contact with a international agent carries a sentence of as much as 15 years in jail. Offering intelligence can lead to greater than 10 years’ imprisonment, whereas aiding the enemy throughout wartime carries a minimal sentence of life imprisonment and, in excessive circumstances, the dying penalty.
Berger additionally warned in opposition to makes an attempt by Israelis to deceive international brokers, stressing that any contact is a severe offense.
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“We had a resort employee close to the Useless Sea who falsely instructed Iranians {that a} group of Israelis would arrive. He stated it was a lie, however I defined he had successfully put a goal on that resort, its workers and visitors, and inspired an assault,” Berger stated.
“Folks unfamiliar with this world mustn’t interact in it. Contact is an offense, offering info is an offense, and aiding the enemy is probably the most extreme,” he added.
Israeli citizen Moti Maman stands in a courtroom after he was accused by Israeli safety providers of involvement in an Iranian-backed assassination plot concentrating on outstanding folks together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Beersheba District Court docket in southern Israel, Sept. 19, 2024. (Reuters/Stringer )
Whereas most suspects stay in custody awaiting trial, some circumstances are advancing by the courts.
One concluded case concerned 70-year-old Moti Maman, who was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail after twice getting into Iran, the place he met with intelligence brokers to debate finishing up terrorist exercise in Israel. He additionally mentioned the potential for assassinating Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Former Mossad operative Gad Shimron instructed Fox Information Digital that whereas the espionage efforts have triggered harm, their impression seems tactical quite than strategic. Nonetheless, he cautioned in opposition to complacency.
“The digital Iron Dome is attempting to catch Israelis keen to work for the Iranians, and I consider it’s fairly environment friendly,” he stated. “However one ought to by no means underestimate the enemy. I’m positive they’re investing numerous effort and that they’ve some successes we don’t but know of.”
