Israeli Teen Indicted for Espionage in Alleged Plot with Iranian Agent

The Israel State Attorney’s Office filed a severe indictment this morning (Monday) with the Central District Juvenile Court in Lod against a 16-year-old minor, accusing him  of serious national security offenses, including contact with a foreign agent and providing information to the enemy.

According to the indictment, the teenager maintained active contact over several months with an Iranian agent, fully aware that the individual was affiliated with a hostile entity operating from an enemy state. The communication was carried out via the encrypted Telegram app and began following the outbreak of Swords of Iron War. 

The Iranian agent reportedly assigned the minor various missions, sometimes in exchange for payment transferred to the minor’s digital wallet via the TrustWallet app. These tasks included printing and distributing inciting political posters, filming them in public spaces—sometimes while setting them on fire—and photographing his own ID card.

One particularly alarming incident occurred in February, when the agent instructed the teen to write threatening messages such as “Where do you think the next target is?” on a piece of paper and pose with it in front of ten government buildings. The minor carried out the task at eight government sites in the city of Rehovot, including a courthouse, police station, and tax authority, documenting each action with photos and videos and sending them to the agent. He received 1,600 shekels in return.

The indictment also states that the teen provided the agent with exact locations of cryptocurrency ATMs across Israel and shared usage reports containing sensitive data. Additionally, he allegedly proposed mission ideas of his own, including vandalism with politically charged graffiti, hiding cash in various public places, scouting drone shops, and attempting to recruit others for similar missions.

In a particularly disturbing revelation, during a major wildfire in the Jerusalem hills on May 1, the agent reportedly requested the teen to ignite a nearby forest area near Rehovot—an act that was not carried out due to a dispute over payment.

The prosecution further alleges that the minor installed a secure communication app on his phone that allowed the agent remote access to his camera and added the agent to WhatsApp groups in which he was a member.

Given the severity of the charges and the risk posed to national security, the State Attorney’s Office has requested the court to remand the suspect in custody until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Due to the suspect's age, the full indictment has not been made public.