From Social Media to Espionage: Iran’s Aggressive New Tactics Inside Israel
An annual intelligence report has revealed a staggering 400% increase in Iranian spying activity and the neutralization of over 1,300 major attacks as a new high-tech war takes hold.
The Shin Bet security agency released its comprehensive summary for the year 2025 on Wednesday, painting a picture of an intense, multi-front struggle against terrorism and foreign intelligence. The data reveals a dramatic spike in Iranian efforts to recruit spies within Israeli borders, with espionage cases jumping by over 400% compared to the previous year. While security forces successfully thwarted 1,374 significant attacks, the agency warned that the nature of the threat is evolving. From the emergence of rocket manufacturing cells in cities like Ramallah and Tulkarm to the use of artificial intelligence by minors to consume extremist propaganda, the report suggests that Israel is facing a more sophisticated and technologically advanced enemy than ever before.
The War Against Terrorist Infrastructure
Throughout 2025, the Shin Bet and the IDF achieved significant milestones in dismantling the command structure of the Hamas terrorist organization. Security forces eliminated approximately 1,200 terrorists, including 200 senior commanders. High profile targets neutralized during the year included Mohammad Sinwar, Yahya Issa, and the notorious terrorist spokesman known as "Abu Obeida." Intelligence gathered from the interrogation of over 1,500 detainees proved vital in locating the bodies of fallen Israelis and destroying the extensive underground tunnel networks that terrorists used to hide and launch attacks.
Despite these successes, the agency highlighted a "bright red warning light" regarding the Judea and Samaria region. Intelligence officers discovered a concerted effort by Hamas to replicate its Gaza model by establishing local manufacturing sites for rockets and high grade explosives. The goal was to launch projectile attacks into the heart of Israel's central cities from the east. While these infrastructures were dismantled before they could become operational, the volume of thwarted attacks, mostly involving shootings and roadside bombs, indicates that the region remains a primary theater of war.
Iranian Espionage and the Digital Frontier
The most alarming data in the report concerns the domestic front, where Iranian intelligence has shifted its strategy. In 2025, 22 severe espionage cases were uncovered, leading to 25 indictments, a massive increase from 2024. Following the operational failures of their proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis, Tehran is now using social media to recruit seemingly innocent Israeli citizens for "distributed terror." This involves assigning small, seemingly harmless tasks that gradually escalate into critical intelligence gathering or active participation in attacks. The Shin Bet noted that Iran is no longer just looking for professional spies, but is attempting to weave a web of influence over the general public.
Technological shifts are also creating new dangers among the youth. The report identified a disturbing trend where minors among Israel's Arab population are using artificial intelligence to bypass content filters and consume radical propaganda. These digital tools allow teens to translate extremist materials and access instructions for carrying out attacks with ease. The Shin Bet described this as a "wake-up call," noting that traditional intelligence methods must now adapt to monitor "digital ticking time bombs" that are radicalized in encrypted online spaces. In addition to foreign threats, the agency also stopped approximately 100 terror plots involving Israeli citizens, further emphasizing the complexity of the current security environment.