Israel arrests second group of alleged Iran spies

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

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

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

News of nan 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 nan 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 nan group was led by a 23-year-old man, who had allegedly been recruited arsenic an Iranian operative. The leader is said to person recruited nan six different suspects.

Local media said nan man 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 investigation underscores Iran’s efforts to enlistee Israeli citizens for terrorism.

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

News of nan 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 nan Haifa area.

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

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

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

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

The latest arrests travel amid stepped up overt and covert activity betwixt Israel and Iran, including intelligence 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 intelligence agents and nan breaking up of alleged Israeli spy cells, though without providing important evidence.