Key facts
- A 21-year-old American citizen studying in Jerusalem has been indicted on espionage charges in Israel.
- Prosecutors allege the individual was recruited by Iranian intelligence via the Telegram messaging app.
- The indictment includes charges of contact with a foreign agent and communicating information useful to an enemy.
- The accused allegedly filmed sensitive sites and was paid in cryptocurrency for the information.
- Lavon's attorney disputes that the alleged actions constitute espionage.
An American citizen studying at an ultra-Orthodox seminary in Jerusalem has been indicted on espionage charges, marking the first prosecution of a U.S. national in connection with a widening crackdown on individuals recruited to spy for Iran.
Eli Lavon, 21, faces charges including contact with a foreign agent and communicating information that could benefit an enemy. Prosecutors allege that Lavon was recruited in November 2025 after responding to a job posting on Telegram. He was reportedly directed by individuals claiming to represent Iranian intelligence to carry out surveillance tasks, including filming sensitive locations and leaving coded messages.
According to the indictment, Lavon was paid in cryptocurrency for the information he provided. He allegedly communicated through multiple phones and Telegram accounts. Prosecutors stated that his combined payments totaled approximately $1,379. His attorney, Raz Bar Tzvi, has disputed the charges, arguing that the alleged conduct does not amount to espionage.
Israeli authorities have indicted around 60 people on Iran-related espionage charges since 2023, with officials suggesting that some sites surveilled by these individuals were later targeted in Iranian missile attacks. A Jerusalem District Attorney's Office official highlighted the case as an example of foreign intelligence agencies exploiting the digital sphere to recruit individuals within Israel.