Iranian Phishing Campaign Targets Israeli Journalists via Messaging Apps

• •Iranian intelligence operatives are targeting Israeli journalists through phishing attacks.
• •Attack methods include impersonation via WhatsApp and Telegram with malicious links.
• •Shin Bet and the National Cyber Directorate are actively working to prevent these attacks.

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.