Two Israelis arrested for spying for Iran, attempting to target Defense Minister Katz

Israeli authorities announce that they have arrested two Israeli citizens suspected of conducting intelligence-gathering missions for Iran in the community of Kfar Ahim, where Defense Minister Israel Katz resides, according to a joint statement from Israel Police and the Shin Bet.

Katz, in a separate statement, thanked the security services for “foiling an Iranian plot to harm me as defense minister of the state of Israel.”

This is the third such incident of Israelis allegedly spying for Iran announced in recent days and joins a spate of similar plots uncovered over the past year.

Roy Mizrahi and Almog Atias, both 24 and residents of Nesher near Haifa, were detained in late April following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 major crimes unit.

Officials say Mizrahi maintained contact with Iranian operatives throughout 2025 and carried out a series of security-related tasks — some alongside Atias — with full knowledge they were acting under Iranian direction.

Among the missions detailed was the transfer of a bag, believed to contain an explosive device, from one location to another at the instruction of Iranian handlers. A phone and encrypted messaging app were also reportedly used to communicate with Tehran.

The Central District Attorney’s Office is expected to file serious indictments in the coming days.

“This case joins a series of recent incidents that point to persistent efforts by hostile terrorist and intelligence entities to recruit Israeli citizens to carry out missions intended to harm the security of the State of Israel and its citizens,” a security official says, with authorities reiterating calls for vigilance and warning of severe legal consequences for collaboration with foreign intelligence.