Israeli intelligence alleges Iranian espionage network in Cyprus

Israeli intelligence agencies, including Mossad, the IDF, and Shin Bet, have accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of operating a covert network using Cyprus as a transit point for smuggling explosive drones. Israel claims this operation, coordinated by IRGC Unit 4000, extends across Greece, Azerbaijan, and other European states, targeting military and infrastructure sites such as Souda Bay and Incirlik. The allegations include claims of surveillance on shipping routes and military installations, with Israeli authorities citing prior arrests of Azerbaijani nationals as evidence. Mehdi Yeka-Dehqan was explicitly named by Israeli officials as an officer involved in the operation. In response, the Iranian embassy in Nicosia denied the accusations, labeling them unfounded and politically motivated. The embassy argued that these claims aim to distract from Israeli and US military failures and accused Israel of using 'false flag' operations to damage Iran's regional relations. Iran reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty of Cyprus and expressed concerns over actions that could destabilize the region.