Indictment makes clear suspect knew who he was working for

Iron Dome reservist soldier indicted for spying for Iran

Jerusalem resident Raz Cohen allegedly provided info on workings of interception system, locations of batteries and IAF bases to Iranian handler in return for $1,000 in crypto

The police and Shin Bet announced on Friday that an IDF reservist serving in the Iron Dome air defense system was recently arrested and indicted on charges of spying for Iran.

A joint investigation by the police’s Unit for International Crime Investigations and the Shin Bet found that the reservist, 26-year old Raz Cohen from Jerusalem, was in contact with Iranian intelligence agents for about a month, and provided information about Iron Dome and other military sites to his handler during that time.

These included passing sensitive security information to the Iranian agent during December 2025, including details about how Iron Dome works, locations of Israeli Air Force bases, and the locations of Iron Dome batteries.

The indictment, served to the Jerusalem District Court on March 18, makes clear that Cohen was fully aware he was working with an Iranian agents.

He received the equivalent of $1,000 in cryptocurrency in return for the information he passed to his handler, before he cut off contact with him in February this year.

Cohen has been charged with assisting the enemy during a war, transmitting information to the enemy with the intent to harm state security, and transmitting information to the enemy which is likely to assist the enemy.

The sentence for assisting the enemy during a war provided in the penal code is life in prison or the death penalty, although the courts do not implement the death penalty.

According to the indictment, Cohen performed his compulsory military service between 2019 and 2022 in the IAF’s Aerial Defense Array, and served as a command and control technician and a launcher in the Iron Dome system.

He performed reserve duty following his compulsory service in the same role, and served in the unit following the October 7, 2023 Hamas invasion, during the 12-day war with Iran in June 2025, and in the run-up to the current conflict with Iran, until he was arrested.

The indictment states that the Iranian agent made contact with Cohen on December 6, 2025 via the Telegram messaging application, introduced himself as an Iranian agent, and offered Cohen money in return for his cooperation.

Cohen himself volunteered the information that he performed reserve duty in the IDF’s Iron Dome system to the agent, specifically that he served in the battery’s control center and that he was responsible for replacing cases and arming the launcher.

He also explained the division of labor within the Iron Dome system to his handler, and further explained the roles of different technicians in the battery.

“The defendant explained to the Iranian handler how the Iron Dome battery is constructed, the components of the battery, and also explained that there are other components connected to the battery spread out around the area, as well as launch sites that are not located with the Iron Dome [system] but are deployed in the periphery,” the indictment alleges.

Cohen also provided details about the system’s armaments and how the battery is armed.

Around December 9, Cohen sent his handler 27 pictures and videos of Iron Dome via Telegram, showing firing processes, rates of fire, the fact that there is a backup launcher, and arming procedures for the launcher.

At the Iranian handler’s request, Cohen also provided details of the locations of seven IAF bases where he had previously served in the Iron Dome system, as well as the location of two Iron Dome batteries — one at the Hatzerim base and the other at the Palmachim base.

Cohen also supplied personal details and contact details of other Israeli citizens to the agent, including that of a security guard at the President’s Residence, and a relative of his serving as an air force pilot, among others.

On January 18 this year, Cohen was called up to reserve duty once more to prepare for the current war with Iran.

But when his handler contacted him again on February 18 using a Telegram user profile with a picture of Cohen’s sister, Cohen blocked the agent. The handler then threatened to expose Cohen to Israel’s security services, apparently via a different user profile, leading Cohen to delete his Telegram app from his phone entirely.

“The Israel Police and the Shin Bet once again warn citizens and residents of the State of Israel against having contact with foreign agents from enemy countries, or unknown officials. All the more so, performing missions for them in exchange for payment or for any other reason,” a joint statement by the two services said.

“These officials, including intelligence and terrorist agents from enemy countries, continue their efforts to recruit and use Israelis for security, espionage and terrorist missions in Israel including during the current war,” the statement continued, adding that such agents are also trying to recruit Israelis on social media networks.

Over the past two years, dozens of Israelis have been charged with espionage on behalf of Iran. In many of the cases, Iranian agents recruited Israelis via social media, specifically through Telegram.

The growing number of Iranian agents has even prompted Israel to open up a new wing in Haifa’s Damon prison for those indicted on such spying charges. Only one of the alleged spies has been convicted so far, as most cases are still making their way through the legal system.