American and Tajik Nationals Charged with Espionage for Iran

Israeli authorities have arrested two individuals on suspicion of gathering intelligence for Iran. Eli Lavon, a 21-year-old ultra-Orthodox student at a Jerusalem seminary, was detained on June 9 and faces two counts of contact with a foreign agent and 14 counts of communicating information to the enemy. Prosecutors say Lavon answered a Telegram job ad in November 2025 while visiting family in the United States, was contacted by an Iranian operative a month later, and supplied video of an abandoned building, a grocery-store interior and a cigarette-packet note reading “The job is complete.” He also hid a USB drive wrapped in a 50-shekel note at a restaurant and sent a selfie of his passport. Lavon allegedly received roughly $1,379 in cryptocurrency for these assignments.

CNN

Behrouz Sobirgon, a Tajik national holding a Russian passport, was arrested in May 2026. Israeli police, the Defense Ministry and Shin Bet allege Sobirgon maintained contact with an Iranian agent from January 2026, documented missile-impact sites during the “Roaring Lion” war, provided coordinates of the Azrieli Towers, Haifa Port and a northern security facility, and attempted to recruit additional collaborators.

YnetNews

Since 2023 Israel has faced an unprecedented wave of domestic espionage, with at least 60 Israelis indicted for spying for Iran. The recent conflict, termed “Operation Rising Lion” by Iran and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, began with coordinated airstrikes in February 2024 and intensified Iranian missile activity over Israeli territory. The Lavon and Sobirgon cases illustrate how Iranian intelligence exploits digital platforms—especially Telegram—to recruit operatives and monetize intelligence with cryptocurrency.

Israel Arrests Man From Tajikistan Suspected of Spying for Iran

• Eli Lavon – American citizen, Jerusalem resident, seminary student; used three phones and two Telegram accounts for covert communication.

CNN

• Behrouz Sobirgon – Tajik citizen, Russian passport holder; alleged to have conducted surveillance of strategic sites during the recent war.

Israeli Sources Report Arrest of Tajik National Accused of Spying for Iran

• Iranian Operatives – Unnamed foreign agents directing assignments via encrypted channels.

YnetNews

• Israeli Agencies – Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office, Israel Police, Defense Ministry, Shin Bet.

Israel Arrests Man From Tajikistan Suspected of Spying for Iran

• Nov 2025 – Lavon answers Telegram job ad while in the United States.

CNN

• Dec 2025 – Iranian agent contacts Lavon; assignments begin.

CNN

• Feb 2025 – Lavon hides USB drive, sends passport selfie.

CNN

• June 9 2026 – Lavon arrested in Jerusalem.

CNN

• Jan 2026 – Sobirgon initiates contact with Iranian handler.

YnetNews

• Feb 2024 – “Roaring Lion” airstrikes commence (contextual background).

Israel Arrests Man From Tajikistan Suspected of Spying for Iran

• May 2026 – Sobirgon arrested; indictment preparation announced.

Washington Examiner

• Lavon: Approximately $518 in cryptocurrency for two assignments; total earnings reported as $1,379.

CNN

• Sobirgon: No monetary figures disclosed; alleged to have transmitted location data of multiple missile-impact sites.

Israeli Sources Report Arrest of Tajik National Accused of Spying for Iran

Ronit Shentzer Yaakobi of the Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office said the indictment shows how foreign intelligence “attempts to exploit the digital sphere… and how important it is to remain vigilant and immediately sever contact.” Israeli police and the Defense Ministry described Sobirgon’s activities as “security-related missions” aimed at advancing Iran’s operational goals against Israel. Shin Bet confirmed joint involvement in both arrests.

Israeli Sources Report Arrest of Tajik National Accused of Spying for Iran

Lavon’s attorney, Raz Bar Tzvi, warned that “not every person with whom a foreign actor makes contact via social media is an ‘atomic spy.’ The legal reality must be adapted to the technological reality,” and argued that the indictment’s facts “do not align with reality.”

CNN

Sources differ on the Tajik suspect’s name spelling (Sobirgon, Sobrigon, Subrigon) and on the conflict’s designation (Operation Rising Lion vs. Roaring Lion). Payment amounts for Lavon vary between “hundreds of dollars” and the precise $518 figure. Several reports lack reliability ratings, limiting verification of details.

YnetNews

• “This indictment illustrates how foreign intelligence agencies attempt to exploit the digital sphere to identify, recruit, and operate individuals from within Israel,” — Ronit Shentzer Yaakobi, Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office

CNN

• “The investigation revealed that the suspect maintained contact with an Iranian foreign agent, with most of his security activity taking place during the ‘Roaring Lion’ war, when he sought to assist Iran in achieving operational gains and advancing its goals on the international stage against the State of Israel,” — Israeli police statement

Israel Arrests Man From Tajikistan Suspected of Spying for Iran

• “In the prosecutor’s statement, the suspect is alleged to have photographed sensitive sites in Israel and then sold the images to an Iranian operative for up to hundreds of dollars.” — Washington Examiner

Washington Examiner

• “The job is complete,” — Note left by Iranian operative in a cigarette packet, indictment

CNN

Prosecutors plan to file formal indictments against both Lavon and Sobirgon in the Tel Aviv District Court and seek pre-trial detention. The cases are expected to prompt heightened scrutiny of online recruitment channels and may shape diplomatic dialogue between Israel, the United States and Tajikistan regarding espionage cooperation.

Israeli Sources Report Arrest of Tajik National Accused of Spying for Iran