Two Israeli Minors Charged with Espionage for Iran

The State Prosecutor's Office has filed an indictment against two minors, aged 14 and 16 from Kiryat Motzkin, who allegedly carried out tasks for an Iranian foreign agent in exchange for payment. The charges include photographing locations, spray-painting graffiti, and attempting to recruit other minors for the agent.

The indictment, filed by attorney Ilan Gamburg of the Haifa District Prosecutor's Office, details how one of the minors contacted an individual claiming to be "Daniel" via a Telegram job search group in June 2026. This individual offered payment for completing tasks. The minor subsequently involved his friend, and the two collaborated on several missions, even after suspecting and later knowing the contact was an Iranian agent.

During their involvement, one minor photographed various sites in Israel, including malls in Herzliya and Tel Aviv. In one instance, he provided the agent with details about a mall's entrances, exits, and security personnel. Fearing the information could be used for an attack, he deleted the videos after sending them.

The indictment also states the two minors spray-painted graffiti in the Kiryat Motzkin area and sent photographic evidence to the agent. Although the agent admitted to being connected to Iran after one minor inquired, the collaboration continued. The minors attempted to expand their activities, with one using his friend's Telegram account to impersonate a soldier from Unit 8200 to secure more tasks.

Following the agent's request to recruit others, they worked to establish a Telegram channel, asking friends to join for "high-risk" missions. Payments, totaling hundreds of shekels, were received, partly through cryptocurrency. One minor faces charges of contact with a foreign agent and providing information to the enemy, while the other is charged with aiding contact with a foreign agent and property damage.