Iran General NewsIsrael says Iran recruited Jewish emigres as spies

Israel says Iran recruited Jewish emigres as spies

-

Reuters: Iran has been issuing tourist visas to Israelis of Iranian descent and recruiting some of the visitors to spy on their new homeland, Israel’s Shin Bet counter-intelligence agency said on Tuesday. By Dan Williams

JERUSALEM, April 17 (Reuters) – Iran has been issuing tourist visas to Israelis of Iranian descent and recruiting some of the visitors to spy on their new homeland, Israel’s Shin Bet counter-intelligence agency said on Tuesday.

Israel is home to tens of thousands of Iranian immigrants, many of whom maintain discreet ties with relatives in their native land despite almost three decades of cold war-style hostility between the Islamic republic and the Jewish state.

A Shin Bet official said that over the past two years, around 100 emigres have travelled to Tehran, first stopping in Istanbul to receive permits from the Iranian consulate there. Many came under pressure into become spies, the official said.

“They had intensive interrogations by Iranian intelligence officers. Some of the Israelis were refused permission to leave Iran until they agreed to cooperate,” the Shin Bet official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Some of the Israelis reported the recruitment attempts when back home, the official said. But 10 of the returning tourists were caught trying to pass information to their handlers.

“We’re talking about low-grade data — such as the names of Israeli security or military personnel who might be approached by Iranian intelligence. At this stage, the Iranian emigres were being cultivated as spies,” the Shin Bet official said.

“We are not planning to press charges as all of these espionage attempts were intercepted and foiled,” the official said without giving further details on the alleged spies.

VISITS ALLOWED

Israel allows its citizens to visit Iran as the countries were never in open conflict. Iran does not recognise Israel and its president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has recently raised tensions by calling for the Jewish state to be “wiped off the map”.

Iran’s nuclear programme has further stirred war fears in Israel, though Tehran denies having hostile designs. Israel is believed to have the region’s only atomic arsenal.

The Shin Bet said it had recommended that parliament amend the law so that Iran is designated as an enemy state and off-limits to Israelis.

Iran is home to 25,000 Jews, who while subject to state scrutiny, seldom complain of serious persecution.

Iran arrested 13 Jewish citizens in 1999 and tried them for espionage in a case that drew international condemnation. Israel denied any links to the alleged cell, all of whose members were eventually released from prison.

Avi Yigay, an Israeli of Iranian descent who visited Iran last year, told Israel’s Army Radio that he had not experienced any pressure from the authorities in Tehran to switch sides.

“They received me very nicely. I wasn’t afraid,” Yigay said. “My passport has a five-year visa, so I can go back there without contacting anyone. I have family there. I may go back.”

Latest news

Land Subsidence in Critical Conditions in Isfahan

Mehdi Toghyani, a member of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), pointed to the occurrence of land subsidence in various...

Iran’s Actual Inflation Rate Higher Than Official Stats

The state-run Donya-e-eqtesad newspaper, in a report analyzing the "general sentiment" regarding inflation in 2023, has stated that households...

Iranian Workers’ Monthly $136 Wages Can’t Cover $500 Expenses

The lives of a significant portion of the Iranian population are marked by uncertainty, largely because the Iranian economy...

Iranian Nurses Earn Twice Their Wages in Ride-Hailing Services

Reza Aryanpour, a member of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) Health and Treatment Commission, highlighted the growing trend of nurses...

Iran: Unprecedented Record of 152 Million Liters of Gasoline Consumption Per Day

On March 19, Iran set a new historical record in gasoline consumption with 152 million liters consumed in one...

Iran’s Youths Have Highest Unemployment Rate

The Iranian regime’s Eghtesad News website reported that data from the Statistical Center of Iran shows that the youth...

Must read

Iran Candidates Spend Third Debate Displaying Infighting

The Iranian presidential candidates spent the third debate accusing...

Supreme Leader says Iran will continue nuclear work

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Aug. 21 – Iran’s Supreme...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you