IDF military court jails soldier for 5 years over contact with Iranian intelligence

An Israeli military court has sentenced an active-duty IDF soldier to five years in prison for contacting an Iranian agent and passing information that could benefit the enemy. The soldier pleaded guilty after a joint investigation by the IDF Military Police, Israel Police, and Shin Bet. In 2025, the soldier received Telegram messages from individuals linked to Iran, offering paid work. He then established contact with an Iranian agent who offered money for "various photography assignments." The soldier sent two videos of IDF air defenses intercepting missiles during "Operation Rising Lion," along with other videos filmed from civilian locations and a missile strike video found online. He later ended contact and reported it to his unit, leading to his arrest. The court considered the gravity of the offenses, his conscript status, and the fact that the crimes occurred during wartime, noting he did not transmit classified military information and severed contact. In addition to the prison sentence, he received a suspended sentence, a 1,000-shekel fine, and a demotion to private.