TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have arrested two Afghan nationals in western Tehran, accusing them of involvement in a Mossad-linked sabotage plot.
Police say both suspects are undocumented migrants. They were captured during a late-night raid after intelligence agents tracked their movements and intercepted WhatsApp communications.
According to officials, the men were sending precise coordinates of sensitive locations to a handler in Germany. These included the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster, IRIB, and the home of a senior government official in Saadat Abad.
Authorities claim the suspects received $2,000 for each assignment. Payments were transferred to overseas accounts, suggesting a low-cost strategy by foreign intelligence services to exploit vulnerable individuals.
Iran has released video confessions where both men appear to admit to the charges. The government says the footage confirms their involvement in the plot.
The case has triggered alarm in Tehran over rising foreign espionage and the use of displaced populations for covert missions. Officials warn that encrypted apps like WhatsApp have become key tools in modern intelligence operations.
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This incident highlights a shift in espionage tactics. Covert threats now arrive not just with drones or cyberattacks, but also through messages, money, and manipulation.
