Image: from Ynet Global X @ynetnews
By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
JERUSALEM — A 26-year-old Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservist has been indicted on grave espionage charges after allegedly providing highly sensitive intelligence regarding the Iron Dome aerial defense system to an Iranian operative.
The suspect, identified as Raz Cohen of Jerusalem, was arrested following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet security service and the police’s Unit for International Crime Investigations. The indictment, served to the Jerusalem District Court on March 18, details a betrayal that occurred as Israel and the U.S. remain locked in a high-stakes kinetic conflict with the Tehran regime.
Secrets for Crypto
According to court documents, Cohen was recruited by an Iranian handler via the messaging app Telegram in December 2025. Despite the handler identifying himself as an agent for the “Terrorist Regime,” Cohen allegedly agreed to cooperate in exchange for financial gain.
Investigators claim Cohen utilized his position as a command-and-control technician—a role he held during his compulsory service and continued in the reserves—to exfiltrate classified data. In total, he is alleged to have received approximately $1,000 in cryptocurrency for his services.
The leaked information reportedly included:
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Battery Locations: Precise coordinates for Iron Dome batteries, including those stationed at the Hatzerim and Palmachim airbases.
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Technical Blueprints: Detailed explanations of the system’s construction, components, and how the batteries are interconnected with external launch sites.
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Operational Media: 27 photos and videos showing firing processes, rates of fire, and arming procedures for the launchers.
“Assisting the Enemy During War”
The timing of the alleged espionage has amplified the severity of the charges. Cohen served in his unit during the brief 12-day war with Iran in June 2025 and remained active during the run-up to the current “Operation Epic Fury,” which began in late February.
“The defendant knowingly provided information that is likely to assist the enemy and harm state security during a period of active warfare,” a prosecution spokesperson stated. Under Israeli law, “assisting the enemy during wartime” is a top-tier offense that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
A Pattern of Recruitment
Security officials noted that this case is part of a broader, aggressive campaign by Iranian intelligence to exploit ordinary Israelis through social media. Just last year, several other reservists were arrested in similar “honey-trap” or financial solicitation schemes.
The breach is particularly sensitive given that the Iron Dome has been the primary shield against the missile barrages Tehran has launched in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli strikes. While the system has maintained a high interception rate, officials worry that the technical data provided by Cohen could allow Iran to develop more effective “saturation” tactics to bypass the batteries.
Cohen’s defense has yet to issue a full statement, though sources close to the case suggest the suspect may claim financial desperation as a motivating factor. He remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.