Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, announced on Sunday that Tehran has obtained a vast collection of sensitive Israeli documents, which he described as a “treasure trove.”
According to Khatib, the materials include information on Israel’s nuclear facilities, its relationships with the United States, Europe, and other countries, as well as details about its defensive capabilities. He stated that these documents would be unveiled soon, though he did not provide immediate evidence or specify how the documents were acquired.
Speaking to state television, Khatib emphasized the significance of the haul, claiming, “Talking of thousands of documents would be an understatement.” He added that the transfer of the materials into Iran was a complex and time-consuming process that required strict security measures. Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported that the documents have now reached secure locations within the country.
The Israeli government has not commented on the Iranian claims. Israel, widely believed to possess the Middle East’s only nuclear arsenal, has never publicly disclosed details about its nuclear weapons program. The announcement comes amid reports of recent arrests of Israelis accused of spying for Tehran, though it remains unclear if these incidents are connected to the alleged document leak or to a reported hacking of an Israeli nuclear research center last year.
This development is the latest episode in the long-running shadow conflict between Iran and Israel, which has included cyberattacks, assassinations, and covert operations. Iran has accused Israel of targeting its nuclear scientists, while Israel has blamed Iran for supporting armed groups hostile to its interests.
Tensions between the two countries escalated in April 2024, when Iran launched limited strikes against Israel in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its embassy in Damascus. The situation stopped short of full-scale war, partly due to U.S. intervention urging restraint.
The news also comes at a time of renewed scrutiny of Iran’s own nuclear program. Last week, the United Nations nuclear watchdog reported that Iran had conducted secret nuclear activities, raising the prospect of censure by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors. Iran continues to insist that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful and civilian in nature, despite longstanding suspicions from Western governments.
Negotiations between Iran and the United States over Iran’s nuclear program have stalled, with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejecting U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment. Iran’s parliament speaker said on Sunday that the latest U.S. proposal does not include lifting sanctions, suggesting that talks remain at an impasse.
