In a significant escalation of Iran's efforts to recruit and activate agents deep inside Israel, police have arrested an 18-year-old Israeli from Yavne on suspicion that he was recruited by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to carry out tasks on their behalf.
The young man's first mission, authorities say, was nothing short of spying on former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett while he was hospitalized following a catheterization procedure several weeks ago. As previously reported, Bennett was admitted to the hospital after feeling unwell and remained under observation for several days after the procedure.
The case comes to light more than two months after the last indictment for espionage on behalf of Iran. In that case, Doron Buchobza, a resident of Beersheba, was charged with initiating contact with Iranian agents and offering to sell them information, claiming, among other things, that he had access to the nuclear research center in Dimona.
According to police and Shin Bet investigations, Buchobza maintained ties with Iranian intelligence officials for several months and carried out a number of security-related missions under their direction, including photographing facilities and transferring information.
