Counterintelligence — 2026-04-07

Shin Bet Uncovers Iran Spy Ring Manufacturing Explosives Inside Israel During Wartime

An Israeli court lifted a gag order revealing that Shin Bet and police are investigating Israeli residents who manufactured and tested explosives at the request of Iranian operatives during the ongoing war. The suspects, identified through a joint Shin Bet-Lahav 433 investigation, allegedly built improvised devices for use in attacks on Israeli soil. Separately, police are investigating other suspects who allegedly manufactured explosives for Iran near the home of a senior defense official. The Shin Bet reported that 25 Israelis and foreign residents were indicted for spying for Iran in 2025, with recruitment attempts jumping 400% compared to 2024.

Analysis
The shift from espionage to wartime bomb-making on Israeli soil represents a qualitative threshold crossing. Prior cycles documented 400% year-over-year recruitment increases; manufacturing explosive devices inside the country for use during active conflict is operationally distinct from intelligence gathering and suggests MOIS has pre-positioned networks capable of kinetic action.
3 sources
  1. Iran spy ring made bombs in Israel - court lifts gag - Israel Hayom
  2. Two separate Israeli espionage cases uncover Iran-linked activities in Jerusalem, Ashkelon - Jerusalem Post
  3. Spy Versus Spy: Iran's Playbook for Espionage in Israel - Washington Institute

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