Yaakov Perl, 49, an Israeli-American citizen who had been residing in Morocco for several years, is set to face an indictment in the coming days, following his arrest in Israel on suspicion of espionage. Perl is accused of photographing sites in Israel and passing sensitive intelligence about Israeli public figures to Iranian intelligence operatives.
The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police, which revealed that Perl had made initial contact with the Iranian embassy in Morocco in 2017 while living there, requesting asylum for himself and his family. When that request was denied, he reportedly became increasingly involved with Iranian-affiliated Telegram channels, using the platform to publish anti-Israel and anti-Zionist content starting in 2023.
In January 2025, after the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Perl published an article supporting the organization. Following this, an Iranian intelligence operative reached out to him, offering the opportunity for cooperation. Perl agreed to the proposal and began working with Iranian operatives, attempting to recruit individuals both in Israel and abroad to assist in intelligence-gathering efforts.
When those attempts failed, Perl reportedly agreed to travel to Israel to personally carry out espionage missions under the guidance of his Iranian handlers. He renewed his Israeli passport and entered Israel in July 2025, where he began executing various tasks on behalf of the Iranian regime.
According to the investigation, Perl took photographs and videos of key locations, including streets and sites, across Israel. He also provided information on senior Israeli figures, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and former IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi. In exchange for his efforts, Perl was paid in cryptocurrency.
Security officials confirmed that Perl acted with full knowledge that his actions were in service of Iranian intelligence, and he understood the severe security risks his actions posed to Israel. Investigators noted that Perl’s motivations were driven by ideological opposition to Israel and Zionism.
The indictment against Perl is expected to be filed in the Tel Aviv District Court in the coming days. The Shin Bet and Israel Police issued a joint statement condemning Perl’s actions, calling them a grave offense at a time when Israel is facing security threats on multiple fronts.
“This case highlights Iran’s persistent efforts to recruit Israeli citizens for espionage and terrorist activities,” the statement read. “Perl’s actions are particularly severe, as he worked for the enemy both abroad and within Israel, driven by a clear ideological opposition to the State of Israel.”
The security agencies added that they will continue to work with other Israeli bodies to identify and thwart espionage and terrorism efforts, vowing to pursue the fullest legal consequences for those involved.