"Sensitive" data received: Iran reports successful intelligence operation in Israel

Iran views Israel as its archenemy. Both countries have been on the brink of war several times recently. Intelligence agencies repeatedly conduct covert and overt operations. Now Tehran claims to have achieved a real success.

According to a state television report, Iran has obtained extensive Israeli intelligence information, including files on Israel's nuclear facilities and defense plans. "Iran's intelligence apparatus has obtained a large amount of strategic and sensitive information and documents belonging to the Zionist regime," the broadcaster reported, citing regional sources.

The state broadcaster did not provide any details about the documents or how Iran obtained the intelligence information. It allegedly included "thousands of documents related to Israel's nuclear plans and facilities." Iranian intelligence agencies and other state media have not yet commented further on the television report.

According to the report, the intelligence information was captured in a covert operation and contains "a large amount of material, including documents, images, and videos." After being safely brought to Iran, it was thoroughly examined by Iranian authorities.

In this context, state broadcaster and the ISNA news agency referred to the arrest of two Israelis, whose detention was announced just over two weeks ago. According to Israeli media reports, the two 24-year-olds from near Haifa were arrested at the end of April.

Iran and Israel have been conducting mutual overt and covert intelligence operations for years, ranging from cyberattacks and drone strikes to acts of sabotage and targeted killings. Tehran blames Israel for the killing of several Iranian nuclear scientists, while Israel accuses Iran of supporting militant groups in the region and attacks on Israeli facilities abroad.

Is Iran seeking nuclear weapons?

Western countries, especially the United States and Israel, accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies military ambitions but insists on its right to the civilian use of nuclear energy.

Iran has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, promote global nuclear disarmament, and support cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers bombing Iran's nuclear infrastructure the appropriate response.

Last year, tensions between the two arch-enemies reached a peak against the backdrop of the war in the Gaza Strip: In April and October, Iran directly attacked Israel. Israel responded to the second attack by shelling targets in Iran. Iran does not recognize Israel as a state, and support for the Palestinians has been a central tenet of Iranian foreign policy since the 1979 revolution.