Israeli soldier sentenced to five years in prison for spying for Iran

An Israeli soldier has been sentenced to five years in prison for carrying out espionage for Iran, the Israeli military said.

The man was completing his mandatory military service when he reportedly sent an Iranian agent footage of missile interceptions filmed at civilian locations during US-Israeli strikes on Iran in June last year, according to the Times of Israel.

He was offered money in exchange for “various photography tasks” after being approached on Telegram by individuals, some of whom were identified with Iran, with a variety of job offers.

Following a joint investigation by the military police, Israeli police and the Shin Bet intelligence agency, the soldier was convicted of contact with a foreign agent and delivering information liable to benefit the enemy.

The Independent has contacted the Israeli military for comment.

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The court took into account that the footage did not contain any information of military bases when deciding on the sentence.

The man, who has not been named, sent an Iranian handler two videos showing missile interceptions and several videos from civilian sites including one of a missile impact that he had found online and reshared.

“Ultimately, after feeling pressured, the defendant informed a member of his unit that he had been in contact with a foreign agent, and the following day he was arrested by the Shin Bet,” the military said.

Prosecutors had pushed for a longer sentence “emphasising the severity and risk inherent in the defendant’s actions and the need to deter both the defendant and others.”

However, the court took the details of the incident into account as well as the fact that the man cut off contact with the Iranian handler and reported the incident to his commanders in the army.

As well as five years in prison, he was handed a suspended sentence, a fine of NIS 1,000 and was demoted to the rank of private.

Several soldiers and reservists have reportedly been charged with espionage on behalf of Iran over the last two years.

The 12-day war began on 13 June 2025 and lasted until 24 June when Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program and top military officials.

The United States joined the conflict, hitting three nuclear sites with massive “bunker-buster” bombs dropped from B-2 stealth bombers that flew their mission from a base in Missouri.