An American man in his 20s was arrested in Israel on June 9, 2026, for allegedly spying on behalf of Iranian intelligence. Israeli authorities announced the arrest on Tuesday after completing their investigation.
The suspect was taken into custody following a joint operation by the Israel Police and the Shin Bet security service. His tasks reportedly involved photographing sensitive sites in exchange for small payments.
The investigation was conducted under a strict gag order. A Jerusalem court extended the man’s detention multiple times before prosecutors filed a formal statement against him.
An indictment is expected in the coming days. Prosecutors plan to seek continued custody until proceedings end.
Chief Inspector Amichai Panta of the Jerusalem District’s central unit noted that several recent espionage cases involved assistance to the enemy during wartime.
