Arrest of Two Israeli Reserve Soldiers on Suspicion of Spying for the Iranian Government

The Israeli newspaper 'Times of Israel' reported, citing a police spokesperson, that 'the police and the Shin Bet security service have arrested two reserve soldiers of the Israeli army on charges of spying on behalf of [the Iranian government] in exchange for financial compensation.' According to the police statement, the main suspect, 'Yuri Eliasfov,' who served in the Iron Dome air defense unit of the Israeli army, began transferring classified information obtained during his military service to an Iranian agent linked to him in September 2024. Months later, Eliasfov recruited his friend, 'Georgi Andreev,' into this espionage scheme and connected him with the Iranian agent. Andreev served at the Israeli army's military headquarters in 'Kiryat' in Tel Aviv. This Israeli media outlet reported that both suspects, aged 21 and from northern Israel, were charged with security offenses - transferring classified information and aiding the enemy during wartime. The Israeli prosecutor is expected to file an indictment against them in the coming days. Previously, reports had emerged that several Israeli citizens had been arrested on charges of spying for the Iranian government.