TEL AVIV: Israeli authorities say they have arrested two Israeli citizens for allegedly conducting missions on behalf of Iran, the latest in a string of similar cases announced in recent months. A statement from the Israeli police and the Shin Ben internal security agency on Monday said that Yuri Eliasfov and Georgi Andreev, residents of northern Israel, were in contact with an Iranian agent and carried out various missions under his instruction.
The missions included passing on classified military material obtained during Eliasfov's military service in an air defense unit. It said the suspects also spray-painted graffiti and hung banners with pro-Iranian messages in various locations across the country, all allegedly in return for financial compensation.
The prosecution is expected to file an indictment against them in the coming days.
In September, an Israeli citizen was indicted for involvement in an Iranian assassination plot against top Israeli leaders, including prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One month later, authorities arrested another Israeli who was allegedly involved in an Iranian plot to assassinate an Israeli scientist.
The Shin Bet says Iranian agents are known to use social media and promises of cash to try to enlist Israelis to carry out such missions.
Israel and Iran's long-running shadow war has burst into the open over the past year, with the two countries directly exchanging fire in April and again in October.
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