TEHRAN – Iran’s intelligence minister says Israel is in the grip of an “infiltration epidemic” as several Israeli media outlets report an unprecedented level of espionage incidents linked to Iranian intelligence, including the infiltration of one of Israel’s largest air bases.
Hojatleslam Seyyed Esmail Khatib said that during his state visit to Kogileh and Boyeh Ahmad, the Zionist regime publicly acknowledged serious security violations, including the arrest of an air force officer on suspicion of transferring nuclear documents and sensitive military materials to Iran.
“These developments reflect the capabilities and power of the Iranian state and its military, intelligence and security institutions,” Khatib said.
He added that the 12-day standoff between Iran, the United States and Israel has exposed deep weaknesses within Israel’s security establishment, resulting in a decline in the regime’s “status, popularity and prestige” internationally.
On June 13, 2025, the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked attack on Iranian territory, sparking a 12-day war that claimed well over 1,000 Iranian lives, including military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. The United States also became involved in the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities. The alleged justification for the invasion was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, but neither Israel nor the United States provided any evidence for that claim.
After the spy’s arrest, Israel’s Channel 15 reported that Iran had infiltrated some of the Israeli military’s most sensitive and strategic military facilities, including Hatzerim Air Base, one of the country’s largest air bases.
Channel 14’s Military Desk described the extent of Iranian infiltration as “truly incredible and astonishing”.
Channel 14’s military and security correspondent Khalil Biton Rosin said the pace at which Israelis are being arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran is unprecedented.
“The number of Israelis arrested on suspicion of being Iranian spies is incredibly alarming. It shows how dire the situation is,” he said on the air. “We are dealing with a serious phenomenon, so we must impose severe penalties for espionage, and then perhaps this phenomenon will stop.”
Israeli news agency Ynet reported on Thursday that Rafael Reubeni, 22, of Beersheba, was charged with communicating with his Iranian handlers via cable and providing confidential military information in exchange for money.
He reportedly shared personnel estimates, emergency procedures and details about the military base, and promised to alert his Iranian contacts if the base went into wartime readiness.
The incident is being investigated by the Shin Bet and police.
Earlier this week, i24News reported that Shimon Azarzar, a 27-year-old from Kiryat Yam, was charged with transmitting photos and coordinates of secret Israeli sites and having prolonged contact with Iranian intelligence agents. He is accused of using his girlfriend, an IDF reservist, to obtain information about air force facilities.
In another incident in November, 23-year-old Tiberias resident Yosef Ain Eli was arrested for allegedly accepting thousands of shekels to collect Iranian intelligence on hotels, IDF soldiers, and senior officials. He was detained in a joint investigation between Shin Bet and Lahav 433.
Khatib said Iran has obtained a “treasure trove” of information from within Israel, including millions of pages of documents covering past and present nuclear weapons programs, joint programs with the United States and European countries, and the inner workings of the Israeli Nuclear Agency.
He noted that both employees within Israeli agencies and ordinary civilians cooperated with Iranian intelligence out of financial motivations or resentment toward the Israeli prime minister.