Soldier arrested for alleged Iran spying, Israel says

Israel's police announced on Thursday it had arrested an Israeli soldier they say was in contact with Iranian operatives and took money in exchange for information.

“The investigation's findings revealed that the soldier knowingly maintained contact with Iranian elements and, in this context, carried out tasks for them, including transferring a video of interceptions and photographs of missile impacts and strikes in Israel," the police said in a statement.

"It should be noted that the information did not come to him by virtue of his military role,” it added.

The arrest comes on the back of a new ad campaign by the Israeli government warning citizens against spying for Iran.

Israeli authorities say they have uncovered more than 25 cases of Iranian recruitment over the past year, with more than 35 people indicted on serious security charges.

“The campaign carries significant national importance, especially in the aftermath of (the war with Iran), after which Iranian efforts to recruit operatives and execute missions inside Israel are expected to intensify,” said Israel's National Public Diplomacy Directorate, which along with domestic security service the Shin Bet, is behind the campaign.

“For 5,000 shekels, is it worth ruining your life or family?” reads one of the campaign's video adverts, referencing the reported amounts some individuals have received for passing information to Tehran.

Since the Gaza war, there has been a 400% surge in arrests related to alleged Iran-backed spy plots, according to the Israeli security services.