Suspected Israeli online operations cause alarm in Iran and Lebanon

Israeli intelligence services are believed to be turning to social media to gather information and recruit potential informants in Lebanon and Iran, according to security experts, using online advertisements and appeals tailored to local audiences.One Instagram account, presenting itself as belonging to Israel’s foreign intelligence agency Mossad, has published Arabic-language messages encouraging people to make contact through confidential channels.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran targets Starlink as ‘tool of war’ with hints of more internet curbslist 2 of 3Iran steps up Hormuz surveillance: Attacks soar, oil flows crash againlist 3 of 3How Israel’s ‘Yellow Line’ is reshaping southern Lebanonend of listThe account, which is verified and operates under the handle @themossad_official, has posted recruitment appeals in colloquial Lebanese Arabic, including inviting people to explore new opportunities by initiating a private conversation.The profile prominently features pinned highlight reels with Arabic titles such as “Lebanon” displaying a photo of fighters, “Israel”, “Mossad wants you!”, “Protection”, and “Think about your future”.In August 2025, Lebanon’s General...