Iranian TV says it smuggled dozens of Israeli intelligence files out of country
Iranian TV says it smuggled dozens of Israeli intelligence files out of country
Iranian TV has broadcast a documentary in which it purports to have smuggled dozens of intelligence documents out of Israel, including footage taken inside the Dimona nuclear facility.
Among the documents shown on the broadcast were copies of passports said to identify more than 100 Israeli scientists, and information on the location of military sites.
The film also included personal photos of UN International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, including one showing him kissing a person in a Minnie Mouse costume.
It comes just over three months since Israel and Iran engaged in direct conflict, which Israel said was aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure and killing officials involved with the programme.
Israel is widely known to have nuclear weapons, but has long maintained a policy of ambiguity when asked about it.
Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib says in the documentary that, in June, Iran obtained information that it used to hit targets in Israel.
The recent conflict killed more than 1,000 Iranians and 32 Israelis. The aftermath also saw a wide crackdown on alleged spying networks on both sides.
On Thursday, Israeli police and intelligence agents said they had arrested a dual Israeli-American citizen on suspicion of spying for Iran.
Shin Bet said Jacob Pearl had been given orders from Iran, including to photograph sites in Israel and to gather information on former Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Israel's attack in June assassinated scores of Iranian commanders and scientists, and destroyed ballistic missile launch pads and weapons facilities.
But Iran is rebuilding its air defences, including by buying Chinese surface-to-air missile batteries, Middle East Eye revealed previously.
Current and former US officials believe that Israel does not want to allow Iran the chance to rebuild its defences.
On Wednesday, France and the US said that Iran still had a last chance to avoid deep UN sanctions if it addressed their concerns over its nuclear programme.
France, Britain and Germany set a countdown through the UN Security Council whereby sanctions will be imposed on Iran on Saturday, if it fails to cooperate.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Iran must give full access to UN nuclear inspectors, immediately resume nuclear negotiations and be transparent over its possession of highly enriched uranium.
"An agreement remains possible. Only a few hours are left. It's up to Iran to respond to the legitimate conditions we have raised," Macron wrote on X, after meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN.
