Israeli soldier charged with passing sensitive military information to Iranian operatives

An Israeli soldier has been indicted on charges of passing information to the enemy and contacting a foreign agent after allegedly carrying out assignments for Iranian intelligence operatives in exchange for cryptocurrency payments, Israeli authorities said Thursday.

In a joint statement, the Shin Bet, Israel Police and Israel Defense Forces said the soldier was arrested in September following a joint investigation. Military prosecutors filed the indictment Thursday, and a military court extended his detention until November 12, 2026.

Investigators found that the soldier maintained contact with Iranian operatives for approximately a year, sharing sensitive information about his unit’s military activities and IDF alert levels and call-ups. This allegedly included details of his own call-up at the outbreak of the war referred to in the statement as “Roaring Lion.”

Authorities said the soldier knew his handler was Iranian and received payments through cryptocurrency wallets at the handler’s direction.

The soldier allegedly provided information about military bases and their coordinates, and photographed interceptors, military vehicles and American refueling aircraft stationed at an airfield in Israel.

Investigators also said he passed along details about fellow soldiers and commanders, knowing his handler would seek to recruit them for espionage. He allegedly shared a Telegram group intended for Israelis preparing to enlist, which the handler subsequently joined.

The handler instructed the soldier to install malicious communication applications for encrypted conversations and suggested that he purchase a basic mobile phone and a handgun. The two also allegedly agreed on coded communications and a cover story in case security forces discovered their activities. The soldier was also offered $200,000 to travel to Iran, authorities said.