Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency said Iran had attempted to recruit foreign nationals to carry out attacks targeting senior officials and other prominent Israeli figures inside Israel.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Mossad, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence used “criminal proxy agents” to recruit people capable of entering Israel. According to the statement, they were tasked with gathering intelligence on potential targets in preparation for attacks.

The statement said the Mossad and Israel’s domestic security agency, Shin Bet, worked with “international partners” to thwart dozens of alleged plots attributed to Iran. It claimed the investigations had saved lives and enabled legal action against people involved in the operations.

According to the Israeli account, Tehran’s alleged attempts to conceal its direct involvement by relying on intermediaries did not prevent investigators from identifying the Iranian officials said to be overseeing the operations.

Separately, CNN previously reported, citing sources, that Israel had experienced an unprecedented increase in domestic espionage cases since 2023. At least 60 Israelis have reportedly been charged with working for Iran.

Israeli prosecutors also said that some locations photographed by suspects were later targeted in Iranian missile attacks.

Iran did not immediately comment on the allegations contained in the Israeli statement.