Mayor of Bat Yam alerts residents to Iranian intelligence agents recruiting Israeli spies

Iran Attempts to Recruit Residents in Bat Yam, Warns Mayor

Bat Yam's Mayor, Tzvika Brot, has issued a warning to the city's residents, urging them not to engage with Iranian operatives attempting to recruit locals as agents. He emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious contacts before irreversible damage occurs.

In a video posted to his official Facebook page, Mayor Brot stated that the Bat Yam municipality is coordinating with Israeli security agencies, including the Shin Bet, to monitor the risk of residents being targeted by Iranian intelligence.

There are residents who are already in contact with Iranian handlers, responding to messages sent to their phones, Brot said. Such interactions put both Israels security and the individuals future at risk.

Mayor Brot described cooperation with Iranian operatives as a serious crime, warning that those apprehended by the Shin Bet would face severe consequences. He cited examples of ordinary citizens, including reservists, top students, and retirees, who initially sought easy money but were later convinced to perform more sensitive tasks, such as transporting packages.

We are still in a delicate security period, and while authorities are preparing for potential threats, residents vigilance is essential to prevent unintentional aid to adversaries, Brot added.

He encouraged anyone who has engaged with Iranian operatives, even if they have already completed tasks, to come forward promptly. It may not be too late to work with security agencies to reverse any damage, he said.

Mayor Brot confirmed to N12 News that the Shin Bet has informed local authorities about the ongoing threat, noting that Iranians are openly contacting individuals by phone. Even one person recruited is enough for their operations to succeed, he warned.

Recent Arrests Linked to Iranian Espionage

Israeli authorities recently detained a 27-year-old Tel Aviv resident suspected of spying for Iran. The suspect reportedly contacted Iranian officials via social media and carried out tasks in exchange for money, including photographing locations such as missile impact sites and museums in Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan.

Additionally, a joint Israel Police and Shin Bet operation led to the arrest of a 21-year-old from Beersheba in October 2025 for activities connected to Iranian intelligence.

Author: Sophia Brooks