Two Israeli Technicians Charged with Spying for Iran

Two Israeli Air Force technicians have been charged with espionage for allegedly passing sensitive military information to Iran, marking the latest in a series of over 50 similar cases since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the ensuing Gaza conflict.

The technicians, identified as Asaf Shitrit and Sagi Haik, worked on F-15 fighter jets at the Tel Nof Airbase near Ashdod. Military prosecutors filed the indictment this week, accusing the pair of violating censorship rules by transmitting documents including engine diagrams, photographs of a flight instructor's face, and images of base facilities such as a control tower with visible runways and drones. Authorities say the men maintained contact with Iranian intelligence operatives for months, beginning around a year ago through online recruitment. In exchange for payments, they carried out tasks directed by their handlers, who inquired about desired salaries—one suspect reportedly requested 1,300 monthly.

Investigators allege the technicians were instructed to gather intelligence on high-profile Israeli figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, National Security Minister...