Shin Bet Apprehends Two Israeli Citizens for Alleged Recruitment into Iranian Espionage Network

Ness Ziona resident Sagi Haik and Assaf Chetrit arrested for spying for Iran, with plans for training in an Arab country and missions within Israel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 3:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

Counter-Espionage Operation Disrupts Iranian Recruitment Plot

A joint investigation by the Shin Bet security agency and the Lahav 433 national crime unit culminated on April 20, 2026, with the arrest of two Israeli nationals suspected of high-level collaboration with Tehran. The primary suspect, 19-year-old Sagi Haik of Ness Ziona, was taken into custody following a month-long period of surveillance that began in March. According to investigators, Haik was recruited through encrypted online platforms and gradually drawn into an operational relationship with an Iranian intelligence handler, marking a significant escalation in Tehran’s efforts to radicalize and utilize Israeli citizens for domestic sabotage.

Advanced Training in Arab Nations Targeted by Iranian Agents

In a disturbing development for national security officials, Haik allegedly consented to a plan that would have seen him travel to a neighboring Arab country for clandestine military or intelligence training. The Shin Bet asserted that the Iranian handler intended to refine Haik’s skills abroad before deploying him for more complex missions within Israel. This strategy mirrors recent Iranian efforts to establish operational hubs in regional territories with porous borders or limited oversight, providing a layer of deniability for both the operative and the sponsoring state during the ongoing regional conflict.

Coercion and Threats Against Family Members Disclosed

The investigation revealed that the relationship between Haik and his Iranian contact was characterized by a mixture of cooperation and intense psychological coercion. After the suspect disclosed personal details and home addresses of his relatives, the Iranian operative reportedly sent threatening messages directly to Haik’s family members. Despite these intimidation tactics, or perhaps because of them, Haik allegedly continued to facilitate the handler’s requests, including the identification of additional Israeli targets for recruitment and the gathering of intelligence on strategic civilian locations within central Israel.