A 21-year-old American faces espionage charges in Israel after allegedly spying for Iran and receiving cryptocurrency payments.
A 21-year-old American man, Eli Lavon, has been indicted in Israel on espionage charges, marking the first case involving a U.S. citizen in a broader crackdown on Iran-linked spying. Prosecutors allege Lavon was recruited via Telegram in November 2025 and paid in cryptocurrency for filming sensitive sites and leaving coded messages for Iranian handlers.
The indictment includes two counts of contact with a foreign agent and 14 counts of communicating information beneficial to an enemy. Lavon’s lawyer disputes the espionage allegations, arguing the conduct does not meet the legal threshold. The case follows a pattern of Iran-linked recruitment efforts targeting Israelis.
Authorities say the recruitment began while Lavon was visiting the U.S., with Iranian operatives directing him to surveil locations in Jerusalem after his return. The charges highlight growing concerns over digital recruitment and cryptocurrency use in espionage.