Israel arrests second group of alleged Iran spies

Seven radical person been arrested successful occupied East Jerusalem connected suspicion of readying attacks for Iran, the Israeli information services say, the 2nd specified lawsuit successful arsenic galore days.

The Shin Bet home information bureau and constabulary said successful a associated connection that the suspects had planned, "under Iranian direction," to assassinate a elder Israeli idiosyncratic and a metropolis mayor.

They were besides tasked with bombing a constabulary car and throwing a grenade astatine a house, for a outgo of immoderate 200,000 shekels (£40,700; $53,000), authorities said.

News of the detentions comes a time aft Israeli information services announced that 7 Israelis had been arrested connected suspicion of spying for Iran.

Iran is Israel's arch-foe and tensions betwixt the 2 countries are astatine their highest for years. Israel has pledged to retaliate against an Iranian rocket onslaught connected Israel connected 1 October.

The connection said the radical was led by a 23-year-old man, who had allegedly been recruited arsenic an Iranian operative. The person is said to person recruited the six different suspects.

Local media said the antheral had confessed to carrying retired "terrorist activity" for nationalistic reasons.

The Shin Bet and constabulary connection said: "Scientists, mayors, information officials, and different salient Israelis are targets for Iranian agents.

"This probe underscores Iran’s efforts to enlistee Israeli citizens for terrorism.

"Israeli information agencies volition proceed collaborating to observe Iranian activities and prosecute those involved."

News of the arrests came hours aft authorities said 7 Israeli Jewish citizens had been arrested connected suspicion of spying for Iran.

The 7 - who had immigrated from Azerbaijan - were detained successful the Haifa area.

They are suspected of carrying retired astir 600 espionage missions, including passing connected quality astir subject sites and vigor infrastructure. Last week, 4 Israeli soldiers were killed successful a drone onslaught by Iran's state Hezbollah connected an service basal adjacent Binyamina successful bluish Israel. The basal was among the sites which the radical had spied on, information services say.

While Iranian attempts to enlistee section operatives is not unusual, the alleged recruitment of Israeli Jews is precise rare.

A connection from the Shin Bet and constabulary said those arrested were “well aware” that the quality they provided compromised nationalist information and could perchance assistance force rocket attacks.

They were paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for the accusation said police, who besides described it arsenic 1 of the astir superior cases yet uncovered.

The latest arrests travel amid stepped up overt and covert enactment betwixt Israel and Iran, including quality and sabotage operations successful each other's countries.

Israel is believed to person penetrated Iranian information services, resulting successful attacks and assassinations. Iran occasionally announces arrests of alleged Israeli quality agents and the breaking up of alleged Israeli spy cells, though without providing important evidence.