DAR AL HARB - ISRAEL: IRAN TRYING TO RECRUIT ISRAELIS OF PERSIAN DESCENT AS SPIES

ISRAEL: IRAN TRYING TO RECRUIT ISRAELIS OF PERSIAN DESCENT AS SPIES, REPORT

Tehran has been trying to recruit Israelis of Iranian descent, who travel to Iran to visit relatives, as spies against the Jewish state, according to a report by Shin Bet (Israel Security Service) published Tuesday. Shin Bet said that 100 Israelis had applied for a visa for Iran in the past two years, ten of whom were questioned by Israeli intelligence officials who discovered they had been recruited as spies. According to the report, Iranian officials first selected potential candidates among Israelis who apply for visa at the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Iran does not recognize Israel and its citizens need to go though the Iranian consulate in Istanbul to travel to the country.

The Israelis were then reportedly contacted during their stay in Iran by intelligence ministry officials who offered them money for their 'cooperation'. In some cases, they were offered thousands of dollars if they obtained research papers and photos of classified military installations, Shin Bet said.

Some of those who have refused the offer have reportedly been denied for months the required authorization to leave the country.



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1) ISRAEL: IRAN TRYING TO RECRUIT ISRAELIS OF PERSIAN DESCENT AS SPIES, REPORT