Intelligence and espionage

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Israeli-American indicted for spying for Iran as Tehran steps up espionage in Israel

Iran has been seeking to recruit both Jews and Arabs for surveillance activities inside Israel.

Richard Moore

UK’s top spy uses farewell from Turkey to lure Russian recruits, sparks fury

The outgoing MI6 chief called on Russians with "truths to share" to contact the agency, sparking diplomatic unease just days before Erdogan’s White House meeting.

Elimelech Stern is seen in during a courthouse appearance on Aug. 22, 2024.

Israeli student found guilty of spying for Iran: What to know

The conviction of the 22-year-old Jewish religious student comes as Iran expands efforts to recruit both Jews and Arabs in Israel.

STEPHANE YAS/AFP via Getty Images)

Iraq announces ISIS network busted in West Africa: What to know

Activity by the Islamic State’s West Africa branch is increasing, according to some observers, and Iraq is looking to strengthen counterterrorism coordination with other states.

Latest News

Australia expels Iran envoy, accuses Tehran of directing antisemitic attacks: What to know

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media after he visited the damaged Adass Israel Synagogue on Dec. 10, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia.

Analysis

AI pivot: Trump loosens export rules, opening path for Gulf tech surge

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - MAY 16: U.S. President Donald J. Trump talks to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as he departs the Al Bateen Executive Airport on May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Trump is on the fourth and final day of his visit to the Gulf to underscore the strategic partnership between the United States and regional allies including the UAE, focusing on security and economic collaboration. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Jared Szuba

Samuel Wendel

By Jared Szuba , Samuel Wendel

Israel’s defense chief to visit Pentagon following Syria, Iran strikes: What to know

A picture shows a view of the damage following Israeli strikes on the Syrian army and Defense Ministry headquarters in Damascus, on July 16, 2025.

Pentagon reveals new details about strike on Iran’s Fordow: What to know

A poster of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

Rescuers prepare to search following a capsized boat at Lake Maggiore, Italy, May 29, 2023.

Italian press questions circumstances of ex-Mossad agent’s death

The Italian newspaper La Republicca suggests that the Israeli and Italian passengers on the boat that capsized on Lake Maggiore were actually spy agents celebrating cooperation.

Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock listens to a statement during a special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Iran, at the United Nations in Geneva on November 24, 2022. (Photo by VALENTIN FLAURAUD / AFP) (Photo by VALENTIN FLAURAUD/AFP via Getty Images)

Germany scrambles to stop Iran from executing dual citizen

After a top Iranian court upheld the death sentence of dual citizen Jamshid Sharmahd, German Foreign Minister Annalean Baerbock says Berlin is making every possible effort to stop the execution.

This combination of pictures created on April 18, 2023 shows Sudan's army chief, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan (L), in Juba on Oct. 14, 2019, and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (R), who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, addressing the media upon his return from Russia at Khartoum airport on March 2, 2022.

Israel's security chiefs split on supporting Sudan’s Burhan, Hemedti

Israel is engaged in efforts to de-escalate tensions in Sudan, but its security and diplomatic leaderships are split between the two fighting camps.

Here are the biggest Middle East disclosures in the leaked intel docs

Turkey, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are among the Middle East countries named in a major leak of classified US intelligence documents.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (L) speaks during a press conference with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) in Athens on January 2, 2020 following the signing ceremony of an agreement for the EastMed pipeline project designed to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe in Athens on January 2, 2020. (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Mossad says it foiled Iranian-Pakistani attack on Israelis in Greece

Israel’s spy agency assisted its Greek counterpart in dismantling a Pakistani terror cell, affiliated with Iran, that was planning attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets.

An undated image of Ronen Levy.

Analysis

Who is Ronen Levy, Shin Bet’s shadow man and Israel’s new foreign ministry chief?

Ronen Levy, previously known only as "Maoz," is emerging from his career as a shadowing intelligence figure and conduit to Arab leaders, to become director general of Israel's Foreign Ministry.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

Two Israeli warplanes fly over the southern Lebanese village of al-Tiri.

Israeli warplanes become every day reality for Lebanese

Research based on complaints to the UN Security Council reveals an intrusive and constant Israeli presence over Lebanese airspace, with consequences for public health.

People pay their respects by the grave of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, an Iranian scientist linked to the country's nuclear program who was killed months before.

Iran claims it arrested Israeli spies plotting to kill nuclear scientists

The arrests come at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, as the latter has been linked to a recent wave of attacks targeting Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

Soldiers carry the coffin of an Israeli who was killed in an Istanbul suicide bombing the previous day, upon its arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, March 20, 2016.

Israel warns nationals against possible Iranian attacks in Turkey, Thailand

Jerusalem tries distancing itself publicly from a series of strange deaths in Iran, while warning Israeli tourists in Turkey and in Thailand that Tehran could be targeting them.

Guests attend the Global AI 2020 (Artificial Intelligence) Summit.

Saudi-US business forum to focus on defense, artificial intelligence

Saudi Arabia is looking to diversify its economy, but some in the United States want less cooperation with the Gulf state due to human rights concerns.

Al-Monitor Staff

By Al-Monitor Staff

US Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines testifies.

Analysis

The Takeaway: Russia, Iran major cyberthreats targeting US, says intel community

Turkey as alternative European gas route; Russian Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine; Palestinians claim double-standard in Western response to Ukraine; Egypt balances US, Russia in dealing with Ukraine war.

Andrew Parasiliti

Elizabeth Hagedorn

Joe Snell

By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell

Aras Amiri.

Iran frees British Council employee Aras Amiri

Aras Amiri's lawyer in Tehran said the British Council worker flew out of the Iranian capital on Monday after her travel ban was lifted.