Israeli authorities arrested a 23-year-old Jerusalem resident on charges of espionage and planning a terror attack on behalf of Iranian intelligence, it was cleared for publication on Monday.
According to the Israeli Police and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), Ardler Amoyel, had been in contact with Iranian intelligence operatives since October 2024, initiating communication via social media and later corresponding with an individual identified as “Ariana.” Following this initial contact, the communication was moved to a handler known as “John,” who activated Amoyel for various assignments.
Despite knowing from the outset that “John” was an Iranian agent, Amoyel agreed to carry out intelligence-gathering tasks in exchange for pay. Tasks included photographing addresses, vandalizing public spaces, and collecting data on various locations in Israel. He documented his missions using a GoPro camera, capturing images of a car being set on fire and filming areas where he planned to disrupt infrastructure.
His targets included key locations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Netanya.
Amoyel then actively sought to acquire weapons and explosives, guns, and bomb-making materials through online channels, and viewed instructional videos on creating explosive devices. In preparation for carrying out a terror attack, he also tried to recruit individuals, including several with criminal backgrounds.
One of Amoyel’s suggestions to his Iranian handler involved burning a police car and sabotaging the Jerusalem light rail by cutting off its electricity supply. To advance this plan, he filmed various locations along the light rail route and sent the footage to his operator.
Amoyel was paid in cryptocurrency.
Since the beginning of December, Israeli authorities exposed Iranian espionage plots in Druze village of Mas’ade and the northern community of Nof HaGalil.
