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Iranian Intel Trying to Hack Israeli Journalists' Phones and Accounts, Shin Bet Says

Haaretz • August 16, 2026

Iranian intelligence operatives are contacting Israeli journalists via WhatsApp and Telegram, posing as familiar figures and inviting them for interviews or offering to collaborate on projects in an attempt to hack their devices, take over their accounts and obtain sensitive information, according to an official statement issued Sunday by the Shin Bet security service and the Israel National Cyber Directorate.

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Iranian Phishing Campaign Targets Israeli Journalists via Messaging Apps On August 16, 2026, Israel's Shin Bet security service and the National Cyber Directorate warned of a phishing campaign by Iranian intelligence operatives targeting Israeli journalists. The campaign uses WhatsApp and Telegram to impersonate familiar figures, offering collaboration or interview opportunities to lure victims. Attackers aim to extract sensitive information, including journalistic sources and correspondence. The phishing messages often contain malicious links that compromise mobile devices or request login credentials for Google accounts. The agencies have identified these attempts and are actively working to thwart them. Increased vigilance is advised for individuals in political and security sectors as the campaign may extend to other fields. 3 sources 74

Iranian Intel Trying to Hack Israeli Journalists' Phones and Accounts, Shin Bet Says

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MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Platforms (2)