Iranian security forces have arrested members of an Israeli spy cell that had been conducting data collection operations in the country.
“The security and intelligence division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) recently identified a network that was spying on the country’s military organizations,” Fars news agency quoted the chief IRGC commander, Brigadier General Mohammad-Ali Jafari, as saying on Monday.
“The network’s link with Mossad was established after extensive intelligence and tracking operations. Members of the cell were arrested during an operation,” Brig. Gen. Jafari said.
He added that sophisticated communication systems and other modern equipment had been confiscated during the crackdown.
According to a senior Iranian counter-espionage official, Tehran has become involved in a ‘serious intelligence war’ with Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv alleges that Tehran, a signatory to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), has plans ‘to build a nuclear weapon’. In order to provide evidence for the allegation, Israeli spy networks have reportedly been conducting espionage against Iran.
Tehran officials say they seek only the civilian applications of the technology — a claim that has not been refuted by the UN nuclear watchdog.
An Israeli spy, Ali Ashtari, was recently identified and arrested by Iranian security forces. Ashtari confessed that Mossad had instructed him to sell bugged internet cables and satellite phones to targeted Iranian officials in an attempt to monitor the officials’ communications.
On Monday, Brig. Gen. Jafari said the exposed network was tasked with gathering information for Israel about nuclear facilities, the IRGC as well as Iranian military and political figures.
The cell members have reportedly confessed to passing several training courses in Israel on bombing methods and terror operations.
According to the Iranian commander, further details about the network and its activities will be revealed shortly.
