7 East Jerusalem men suspected of planning assassinations on behalf of Iran

In yet another Iranian espionage case, seven East Jerusalem residents have been arrested on suspicion of planning attacks in Israel, including the assassination of an Israeli nuclear scientist and a mayor in central Israel.

The suspects are all aged 19 to 23, officials in the police and Shin Bet say. The leader of the ring, a 23-year-old named Rami Alian, was recruited by an Iranian agent. None of the suspects had a criminal or security-related record.

The cell was active for some two years. They were given various missions for which they were paid thousands of shekels, including graffiti demanding the release of hostages in Gaza and vandalism in Jerusalem, and also tasked with photographing various locations.

At one point they were told to hurl a grenade at an Israeli security serviceman, though this was not carried out.

Alian was given a photo and address of the nuclear scientist and told he would be paid NIS 200,000 ($53,000) if he succeeded. Authorities say he began preparations for the act, but the cell was arrested before it could move forward.

According to Channel 12 news, Alian told investigators he was aware he was working for Iranians and wanted to harm national security, citing the war in Gaza.

The reveal comes only a day after the publication of the capture of another spy ring.