Israeli couple arrested for spying for Iran

July 1, 2025 by Pesach Benson
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Following an undercover investigation, an Israeli couple in their 30s from Raanana were arrested for spying for Iran, it was cleared for publication on Tuesday.

The headquarters of the Lahav 433, the Israel police department tasked with investigating national crimes and corruption, on Dec. 20, 2016. Photo by Israel Blizovski/TPS

According to the Israel Police and Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), investigators searching the couple’s home confiscated several phones, computers and other devices, along with the couple’s correspondence with their handler.

The announcement comes one day after authorities announced the arrests of three Israelis who carried out surveillance missions and plotted terror attacks.

In one case, 33-year-old Mark Morgaine, a resident of the Jordan Valley, was arrested for maintaining contact with Iranian intelligence and carrying out direct assignments for them. According to the authorities, Morgaine allegedly agreed to retrieve a grenade buried at a prearranged location with the understanding that it was intended to be used against civilians.

Morgaine also reportedly sent a video of a missile interception to his Iranian handler during the 12-day war.

Morgaine was arrested on June 15.

In a separate investigation, Yoni Segal, 18, and Nahorai Omri Mizrahi, 20, both from Tiberias, were arrested overnight between June 14 and 15. Authorities suspect the two of conducting surveillance missions on behalf of Iranian intelligence, including photographing malls in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Tiberias, as well as Tel Aviv’s Ichilov Hospital.

Segal and Mizrahi allegedly documented the number of security guards, stores, and structural layouts, and sent real-time location updates to their Iranian contact. Investigators say the pair even encouraged their handler to assign them further missions.

Authorities also suspect the two were offered hundreds of thousands of shekels to assassinate an unidentified Israeli. The alleged plan involved travelling to another country for training before receiving the name of their intended target. The operation was ultimately foiled before it could progress further.

On Sunday, the Shin Bet announced the arrest of Dennis Liakhov, from Rishon LeZion, who sent surveillance footage and geolocations of certain buildings to an Iranian agent in exchange for digital payments.

Israel launched preemptive strikes against Iranian nuclear sites on June 13, citing intelligence that Tehran had reached “a point of no return” in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. According to Israeli defence officials, Iran has developed the capacity to rapidly enrich uranium and assemble nuclear bombs, with sufficient fissile material for up to 15 weapons.

Israeli intelligence also exposed a covert program to complete all components of a nuclear device. The strikes marked a dramatic escalation in what officials describe as a broader Iranian strategy combining nuclear development, missile proliferation, and proxy warfare aimed at Israel’s destruction.

A U.S.-brokered ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday. During 12 days of fighting, Iranian missile strikes killed 28 Israelis and injured over 3,000.

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