According to sources who spoke with The Telegraph, Iranian officials now face a dangerous situation where distinguishing genuine loyalty from Israeli infiltration has become nearly impossible. One senior Iranian official told The Telegraph: "Many officials, including within the Sepah [IRGC], are doing everything they can to convince the system that they haven't done anything wrong, since it's obvious to everyone now that the Israelis have massively infiltrated several agencies."

Officials fear Israeli agents embedded within security services may be filing false accusations to eliminate loyal personnel. An Iranian official interviewed by The Telegraph explained: "Trust is one issue, but what's becoming an even greater concern is the growing number of people who are, in one way or another, betraying the system."

The twelve-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025 exposed extensive Israeli Mossad penetration of Iran's security apparatus. Israel's operation killed several top IRGC commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and armed forces chief Mohammed Bagheri, demonstrating the depth of intelligence infiltration. Iranian officials now face growing paranoia as they struggle to distinguish genuine threats from false accusations designed to remove loyal insiders.​

Iran has reached record execution levels in 2025, with over 1,000 people executed by September – the highest figure in at least 15 years, The Telegraph reports. The death of Omid Sarlak in November, whose bullet-riddled body was found hours after he posted a video burning Supreme Leader Khamenei's image, sparked widespread protests with mourners chanting "Death to Khamenei" and burning images of the leader.​

Iran faces its worst drought in decades, with the Amir Kabir dam northwest of Tehran at only 8% capacity. Rainfall has decreased by 89% compared to long-term averages, and the number of dams below 5% capacity has increased from 8 to 32, The Telegraph reports. President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran residents may need to evacuate by mid-December if conditions don't improve. Severe air pollution has forced school closures across multiple cities.​

Despite these challenges, experts assess that the regime remains stable, largely due to nationalist sentiment generated during the war with Israel. However, Iran faces increasing international isolation following the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposition of UN sanctions. The regime has begun emphasizing ancient Persian Empire imagery rather than revolutionary Islamic messaging to rally public support, as evidenced by the installation of a replica of a 1,700-year-old relief sculpture in central Tehran depicting Roman Emperor Valerian kneeling before Persian King Shapur I with the message, "You will kneel before Iran again," The Telegraph reports.

Public dissatisfaction with conditions in Iran has reached 92% according to polling conducted for the president's office, The Telegraph reports. The combination of intelligence failures, environmental crises, economic pressures, and domestic repression creates a volatile situation, though the regime's security apparatus remains capable of suppressing dissent through mass arrests and executions.

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During his police interrogation, it emerged that in recent weeks, Iranian operatives had contacted the minor via the Telegram messaging app and asked him to carry out several tasks in exchange for money.

The boy complied with their request and, following their instructions, sprayed graffiti in the Tel Aviv area. He was also asked to photograph the Iron Dome missile defense system, but ultimately did not carry out that task.

At the end of his interrogation by police, he was released to house arrest. His parents were kept informed throughout the investigation.

Police and the Shin Bet emphasized that intelligence and terrorist elements continue their efforts to recruit Israelis via social media in order to conduct terrorist activity in Israel.

"Accordingly, we once again stress to parents that establishing contact with foreign entities and carrying out missions for them is a serious offense punishable by heavy penalties. You must remain alert and cautious to prevent the next case."

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In recent years, Israel has faced an increasing number of espionage attempts orchestrated by Iranian intelligence services, ranging from social media manipulation to the recruitment of Israeli citizens.

Most recently, 30-year-old Vladislav Viktorson, from Ramat Gan, was detained for questioning in connection with alleged espionage activities conducted with his partner, Anna Bernstein. The investigation reveals that Viktorson was reportedly tasked with sabotaging communication infrastructure and ATMs, as well as setting forests ablaze, for a sum of approximately $5,000. Investigators claim Viktorson even agreed to carry out an assassination of a high-profile figure in Israel and to lob a grenade at a residence. The probe uncovered that since last August, Viktorson had been in contact via social media with an individual using the name "Mari Hossi." Their exchanges were conducted in Hebrew.

As part of this connection, Viktorson allegedly performed various tasks under the guidance of the Iranian operative, fully aware of their identity. These tasks included graffiti, poster hanging, money planting, and even torching vehicles in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park area.

Subsequently, Viktorson was reportedly instructed to sabotage communication infrastructure and ATMs, and to ignite forest fires. Some of these missions were documented, with payments exceeding $5,000 received for their execution. The investigation also suggests that Viktorson worked to procure weapons, including a sniper rifle, pistols, and fragmentation grenades.

Bernstein, an 18-year-old Ramat Gan resident, who works as a model, allegedly participated in some of the missions.

In a separate case, Moti Maman, a 72-year-old Ashkelon resident, was apprehended in August 2024 in a joint operation by the Shin Bet security agency and Israel Police. He faces serious espionage charges. The indictment reveals that Maman had a criminal history, including five previous convictions for various offenses such as extortion and tax evasion, with his most recent conviction in 2013. According to the charges, the Israeli-Jewish businessman, who had resided in Turkey for an extended period, was recruited by Iranian intelligence agents. He allegedly agreed – through Turkish intermediaries – to meet with an Iran-based businessman, ostensibly to promote business activities.

For this purpose, Maman traveled to Samangad, Turkey, where he met with two representatives sent on the businessman's behalf. The three held a phone conversation with the businessman, who was unable to leave Iran. The indictment charges Maman with offenses against state security, including contact with a foreign agent and entering an enemy state without authorization.

Similarly, last July, the Shin Bet and the Israel Police's Unit of International Crime Investigations, known in Hebrew by its acronym Yahbal, arrested three Israeli citizens. They were suspected of planting money-filled packages and hanging posters in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents. The Shin Bet and Yahbal investigation exposed a network of Iranian intelligence operatives who, disguised as foreign entities, approached Israeli citizens to recruit and deploy them for missions within Israel. One of the citizens faces charges of contact with a foreign agent.

Elimelech Stern, a 21-year-old Vizhnitz Hassid from Beit Shemesh, was suspected of communicating with a Telegram profile named "ANNA ELENA". Iranian operatives allegedly tasked him with various missions, such as hanging posters in Tel Aviv, planting money at different locations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, setting a forest on fire, and delivering packages containing a severed animal head or doll (along with a knife and threatening message) to be placed at Israeli citizens' doorsteps. The investigation revealed that Stern agreed to most tasks, excluding murder and forest arson. To accomplish the poster hanging, money planting, and package deliveries, he recruited two other Israeli citizens, who carried out some of the missions for financial compensation. Stern received cryptocurrency payments from ANNA ELENA for completing the tasks.

In 2022, a complex case of Iranian attempts to recruit spies from among Iranian expatriates in Israel came to light. The operation used a fake Facebook account under the name "Rambod Namdar," posing as an Iranian Jew interested in immigrating to Israel. The account contacted dozens of people, mainly Jewish women of Iranian descent, building trust through lengthy conversations. Gradually, "Rambod" requested various tasks, including photographing Israeli sites and transferring money. In November 2021, five suspects were arrested and brought to trial in the Jerusalem District Court. The case shocked Israel's Persian community and exposed Iran's sophisticated methods for infiltrating Israeli systems. However, during the trial, most defendants were acquitted, with only one convicted of contact with a foreign agent.

In 2018, Gonen Segev, a former energy ministry,  was arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran. Segev, who served as a minister in Israel during the 1990s, was convicted of severe espionage and providing information to the enemy. Recruited by the Iranian embassy in Nigeria, he provided information on strategic facilities, the security system, and Israeli officials. Segev was ultimately sentenced to 11 years in prison as part of a plea bargain. The Shin Bet stated that Segev, who resided in Nigeria, was transferred to Israel from Equatorial Guinea in May 2018 after being denied entry due to his criminal record. He was immediately arrested upon arrival in Israel. The investigation revealed that Segev had been recruited by Iranian intelligence in 2012, meeting his handlers in Iran and various locations worldwide. He passed information related to Israel's energy sector, security sites, and political and security officials. Segev also attempted to connect Israeli citizens to Iranian intelligence agents under the guise of business opportunities.

In 1997, Nahum Manbar, an Israeli businessman, was arrested on suspicion of maintaining connections with Iran. Manbar was convicted of aiding the enemy after selling secrets about nerve gas production to Iran.

And perhaps most shockingly, in November 2021, Omri Goren, an Israeli citizen employed at Defense Minister Benny Gantz's residence, was charged with espionage. The investigation revealed that Goren, on his own initiative, contacted a figure associated with Iran through social media shortly before his arrest. He offered assistance in various ways, leveraging his access to the minister's house. Among other things, he proposed to the representative of the Iranian-associated hacking group Black Shadow that he could plant malware on the minister's computer via a USB device in exchange for financial compensation.

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The beluga whale Hvaldimir, who rose to fame in 2019 due to his peculiar harness resembling a camera mount, has been discovered dead in Norwegian waters, according to Marine Mind, a nonprofit dedicated to the whale's welfare.

The organization's founder, Sebastian Strand, confirmed spotting Hvaldimir's lifeless body near Risavika in southwestern Norway on Saturday.

"We're devastated by this loss," Strand commented. "Hvaldimir had become a beloved figure for countless Norwegians."

While the exact cause of death remains unknown, Strand noted evidence of markings on the whale's body, potentially from avian or aquatic animal activity. Plans are underway to transport the whale's remains to a facility for preservation and further examination to determine the cause of death.

Estimated at approximately 14 feet in length and weighing around 2,700 pounds, Hvaldimir first garnered attention in northern Norway four years ago, initially alarming local fishermen with his unexpected presence and unusual equipment.

The whale's name, a blend of the Norwegian "hval" (whale) and Vladimir, reflected the intrigue surrounding his origins. Belugas typically inhabit Arctic regions in groups, making Hvaldimir's solitary appearances in busier waters a source of concern for marine experts and conservationists.

The harness Hvaldimir wore, labeled as "equipment" from St Petersburg and featuring what appeared to be a camera attachment, fueled speculation about potential involvement in reconnaissance activities. However, Russian authorities have never claimed any connection to the whale.

Despite the espionage theories, Hvaldimir exhibited remarkably friendly behavior toward humans. "He displayed clear signs of domestication," Strand explained, suggesting a history of captivity for much of the whale's life.

Strand's team focused on educating the public about Hvaldimir, aiming to ensure his safety in an environment far from his natural habitat.

In the previous year, Hvaldimir was observed off Sweden's coast, a concerning southward migration that led him further from suitable food sources and into more hazardous, industrialized waters.

Strand had been advocating for increased safety measures for Hvaldimir, who had experienced a relatively peaceful year and appeared healthy as recently as Friday, based on the latest reports.

"The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear," Strand stated. "We're committed to uncovering the truth."

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A recent report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests that China's suspected intelligence-gathering capabilities in Cuba are expanding, with one alleged site situated close to the US naval base at Guantánamo Bay. The Washington DC-based think tank's findings, reported by Business Insider, raise concerns about the growing reach of China's surveillance operations in the Caribbean.

According to the CSIS analysis, which utilized satellite imagery and open-source information, four "active" sites in Cuba have been identified as potentially capable of conducting electronic surveillance operations. These facilities are believed to be linked to China, though the exact nature of their operations remains unconfirmed.

The report's findings are particularly noteworthy due to the strategic location of one of the suspected sites. Its proximity to the Guantánamo Bay naval base, a key US military installation, underscores the potential intelligence value of such operations.

The Cuban government has not yet responded to these allegations. Similarly, Chinese officials have not commented on the CSIS report or the claims of surveillance operations in Cuba.

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Two Russian ships have been observed in waters off Kiel, Germany, coinciding with the expected sea trials of Israel's newest submarine, INS Drakon, according to Naval News. The vessels, identified as the Sibiryakov and the Wassili Tatischtschew, are believed to be engaging in intelligence-gathering activities.

Sea trials are a critical phase for new submarines, exposing them to potential surveillance from other navies. These tests often reveal valuable information about a vessel's acoustic signature and performance capabilities.

Naval analyst Droxford Maritime has provided a detailed analysis of the Sibiryakov's movements, which align with the likely trial schedule of INS Drakon. The submarine, constructed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Kiel, is understood to be undergoing sea trials.

The Sibiryakov, a Project 865 oceanographic research vessel, is equipped for acoustic signature measurements of submarines. Naval News reports that it has previously been involved in Russian submarine trials in the Baltic and was observed near the Nord Stream pipelines prior to the September 2022 attacks.

INS Drakon, launched in August last year, features an unusually large sail believed to house vertical launch tubes for new strategic missiles. The submarine is expected to carry part of Israel's nuclear deterrent upon entering service, heightening the sensitivity of its sea trials.

While details of the submarine and its weapon system remain classified, the presence of Russian vessels in the area suggests a keen interest in gathering intelligence on this new addition to Israel's naval fleet.

The deployment of spy ships to monitor other nations' sea trials is not uncommon, having been a regular practice since the Cold War era. As naval technology advances, the value of such intelligence-gathering efforts remains high for maritime powers seeking to understand potential adversaries' capabilities.

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An investigation into a major security breach at the home of Defense Minister Benny Gantz, which involved a cleaner at Gantz's home who had not been vetted by the Shin Bet security agency being indicted for allegedly offering to spy for Iran, has ended with a written reprimand for two high-ranking Shin Bet officials, the agency announced Tuesday evening.

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Shin Bet head Ronen Bar appointed an external committee to probe how suspect Omri Goren – who had multiple criminal convictions – would have been employed at Gantz's home. The committee was comprised of three retired Shin Bet officials, including two former department heads and a former division leader.

The committee submitted its findings to Bar along with recommendations for action to be taken. The committee described the affair as a "professional failure," citing lack of coordination at the professional level and a lack of coordination in "work procedures."

On the basis of the investigation's findings, Shin Bet head Ronen Bar decided to issue a written reprimand to two senior officials in the organization.

Meanwhile, the Shin Bet has evaluated security arrangements for the individuals for whom it is responsible and tightened background checks and testing procedures for anyone employed in "close circles" of officials who are provided with Shin Bet security.

Bar also issued instructions to add additional levels of intelligence and operational security when it comes to the officials it secures.

However, Bar did praise the rapid action taken to locate and arrest Goren within 48 hours of the time he allegedly contacted a hostile entity.

"Despite the success in thwarting [the plot], we failed to prevent it," Bar said. "If the process had worked, a person like this would never have been working near a protectee. The failure that took place in this isolated incident allowed us to take an in-depth look at the processes and mechanisms involving the issue of those employed close to protectees.

"The probe gave us a chance to examine professional work processes in the service. The conclusions of the investigative committee, as well as an in-depth process of learning lessons, have already been translated into actions on the ground that will significantly reduce the chance of incidents like this happening again," Bar said.

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Just like with heartburn, no one really pays attention to the International Emmy award until you actually have one. 

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Nevertheless, the fact that the Israeli spy thriller Tehran beat more than 20 contenders to win the Drama Series category is quite an accomplishment. 

No doubt, those in the television industry dream of being awarded the golden statuette. But the question is: How much does it help the series? Turns out, not much. 

Ask the creators of Nevsu, which won an International Emmy for the comedy series in 2018, and they will tell you that the victory did not even help them secure a permanent spot on a broadcaster's program. 

Because what else does such an award provide other than a feeling of accomplishment, appreciation, interviews, and opportunities for those involved? Tehran has already been renewed for a second season. Also, an Emmy does undo the plot's flaws. 

Perhaps it's a good thing that movie critics are not the ones awarding the prize, and all that is left for us to do is wonder how a spy thriller that wasn't even Kan 11's best show this year got this distinction.

Perhaps it is due to the world being overly fond of Israel's conflicts with others. Tensions between Israel and Iran that have been fueled by international media for years seem to intrigue global viewers that are somewhat familiar with the conflict. 

Add to that the passionate love affair between a young Iranian and an Israeli Mossad agent. That part of the plot alone is worth half an Emmy. 

Waltz with Bashir, Beaufort, Prisoners of War, Fauda, and now Tehran. When Israel is not at war, it seems we excel at exporting movies that are based on bloody conflicts with our neighbors. 

If there is one thing that Israel is consistently good at, it's fighting with Arabs. How lovely that the world appreciates this and awards us with prizes for this.

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Cleared for publication: An Israeli who worked as a cleaner at Defense Minister Benny Gantz's home was arrested earlier this month on suspicions of espionage.

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The Israel Security Agency said Thursday that a joint Shin Bet-Israel Police investigation revealed that Omri Goren, 37, from Lod, reportedly contacted the Iran-affiliated Black Shadow hacker group of his own accord a few days before his arrest, and offered to provide information from within the defense minister's home.

Goren reportedly contacted the group via the Telegram messaging service. In exchange for an undisclosed sum of money, he offered to install spyware on the minister's computer that would allow access to it by a third party.

He also supposedly took photographs of Gantz's desk, computers, a tablet, a locked safe, a shredder, papers with IP address, a package with a label listing the souvenirs that Gantz received as IDF chief of staff, framed photos of the family, municipal tax bills and more.

Some of the photos Goren shared with the group to prove that he did indeed have access to the statesman's home. Shit Bet stressed howered that Goren was arrested before he could do any damage and as he had no access to classified materials, he did not share them with the hackers.

The investigation was conducted with Gantz's knowledge. Once the investigation concluded, the Central District  Prosecution filed an indictment against Goren for alleged espionage.

The Shin Bet said that in light of the incident, it has set out to research ways on how to limit "the possibility of cases like this repeating themselves in the future."

Gantz office stressed that due to exisitng information security protocols at the defense minister's home, Goren were never privy to classified informaiton, nor was he able to hand them over to his contacts.

Goren has a criminal record that includes five previous convictions between the years 2002-2013, and 14 police cases in total over various offenses, including two bank robbery charges, burglaries and thefts. For this, Goren was sentenced to four years in prison, with his last sentence, for robbery offenses, being for four years.

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The Russian military conducted searches in Syria a few days ago for the remains of famed Israeli spy Eli Cohen. The London-based Arabic news outlet Rai Al-Youm reported Saturday.

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According to the unconfirmed report, the searches focused on the cemetery in the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus.

Rai Al-Youm claimed to be quoting a "senior official" in the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, who said that Russia and Syria had recently stepped up searches for Cohen's body, which has been missing since he was executed in Damascus in the 1960s. The news outset said that the Russians were putting pressure on the Assad regime to provide information about where Cohen was buried, but it appears that officials in the regime do not have the information, as Cohen's remains were exhumed and moved when Assad's father, Hafez Assad, was still in power.

Warning: Graphic images

The report also said that the recent searches outraged Palestinian terrorist organizations in Syria, who claimed that the presence of non-Muslim soldiers in the camp's cemetery "desecrated" the honor of "martyrs" buried there.

Saturday's claims comprised the second report this month about the Russian army conducting searches in the Yarmouk cemetery, which came on the heels of a Russian-brokered prisoner exchange to secure the return of a young Israeli woman who voluntarily crossed the border.

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Israel released two Syrian shepherds being held, and media reports claimed that Israel had purchased $1 million worth of Russia's Sputnik-V COVID vaccine for Syria. However, both Israel and Syria denied these reports.

Earlier in February, Russia's RT television ran footage supposedly showing Cohen walking around the neighborhood in which he lived while under cover in Damascus. The footage dates from the same year Cohen was exposed by Syrian intelligence.

i24NEWS contributed to this report

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