JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israeli prosecutors on Friday indicted a young American man living in Jerusalem on charges of spying for Iran, alleging he photographed sites in the capital and carried out other intelligence-gathering assignments in exchange for about $1,400 in cryptocurrency.

The defendant, 21-year-old Eli Levon, is an American citizen, according to Israeli authorities. Prosecutors allege he maintained contact with two individuals identified as “Sina” and “Alexander,” who were acting on behalf of Iranian intelligence, and carried out assignments in late 2025 and early 2026.

According to the indictment, Levon photographed Jerusalem’s Central Bus Station and a building in the Bukharim neighborhood before transmitting the images to his handlers. He is also accused of carrying out a covert “dead drop” operation by leaving a cigarette pack containing a note reading, “The job is complete,” at Hadar Mall.

Prosecutors allege Levon received about $861 in cryptocurrency from one handler and another $518 from a second handler in exchange for completing the assignments.

Levon is charged with contact with a foreign agent and providing information that could benefit an enemy. Prosecutors have asked the court to keep him in custody pending the outcome of the case.

Israeli police and the domestic security agency said Levon was arrested earlier this month following intelligence received from international security partners. Authorities allege he agreed to perform intelligence-gathering missions for Iranian operatives after making contact through social media.

The case is the latest in a series of alleged Iranian espionage plots uncovered by Israeli authorities involving Israeli residents accused of carrying out assignments for Tehran.