ISTANBUL

Israel denied entry Friday to an Iranian Jew on suspicion of having contact with security officials in Tehran.

The traveler arrived in Tel Aviv by plane late Thursday but was detained by the Israeli Internal Intelligence Service, Shin Bet, at Ben Gurion Airport on suspicion of communicating with security organizations in Iran.

"This event is part of a broad Iranian effort to establish espionage and terror axes in Israel, alongside the influence in the network to widen the social divide," the Jerusalem Post, quoted Shin Bet.

After questioning, the Iranian Jew was sent back to his country.

The report said during the interrogation, the traveler confessed to coming to Israel "to collect information and take photos to serve the security organizations in his country" and that he had met Iranian security personnel.

It was alleged that he had received special instructions and equipment to carry out assigned tasks.