Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu has claimed that Israeli agents are currently active inside Iran during the country’s ongoing protests over the falling value of the rial and a deepening economic crisis. Speaking to Israel’s Army Radio on Thursday, Eliyahu said that Israel had used ground agents during a 12-day war with Iran last June and that similar operations continue now. He asserted that some Israeli operatives remain active on Iranian soil.

According to Eliyahu, these agents are not directly working to overthrow the Iranian government but are focused on weakening Iran’s military and strategic capabilities to prevent it from posing a threat to Israel. Tehran had previously acknowledged Israeli intelligence activity during the 12-day conflict and has since arrested and executed several people accused of spying for Mossad.

Eliyahu’s remarks have intensified Iranian accusations of foreign interference by Israel and the United States. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei responded sharply, accusing former U.S. President Donald Trump of having blood on his hands and warning that arrogant powers would face the same fate as the pre-1979 monarchy.