Iranian Hackers Gain Control of Ayelet Shaked’s Phone After Phishing Attack
Iranian hackers breached the phone of former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked after she clicked a suspicious link, part of a broader wave of cyberattacks targeting Israeli officials. The Shin Bet has issued warnings to public figures, urging heightened cybersecurity vigilance amid escalating Iranian cyber threats.
Iranian operatives successfully hacked the mobile phone of former Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, exploiting a phishing attempt in which she clicked a suspicious link, security officials revealed on August 14, 2025. The breach, reported by Channel 12, marks a significant escalation in Iran’s cyber operations targeting Israeli officials. Shaked faced multiple hacking attempts, but one successful incident allowed Iranian actors to gain control of her device. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) informed her of the compromise approximately two weeks after the incident, underscoring the sophistication of the attack.
During her tenure as Justice Minister, Shaked had been cautioned by former Shin Bet Director Nadav Argaman about Iranian eavesdropping efforts, indicating long-standing targeting of her communications. Shaked responded to the recent breach, stating, “The matter is being handled by the security authorities.” The incident is part of a broader wave of cyberattacks, with Iranian entities attempting to infiltrate the phones of current and former Israeli ministers, advisors, and officials in recent weeks. The Shin Bet has since issued urgent warnings to public officials, emphasizing basic cybersecurity practices: “Refrain from clicking on unknown links and from entering passwords in unverified sites.”
These cyberattacks align with Iran’s intensified cyber operations, including 85 thwarted attempts in 2025 targeting Israeli officials for assassination-related intelligence, often using tailored phishing links like fake Google Meet invitations. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been linked to similar hack-and-leak schemes, including efforts to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The breach of Shaked’s phone, a high-profile figure known for her hardline stance against Iran’s nuclear program, highlights the strategic nature of these attacks, likely aimed at gathering intelligence and delivering a psychological blow. Amid heightened tensions following the June 2025 Israel-Iran air war, Israel’s security establishment is ramping up efforts to counter Iran’s aggressive cyber campaigns.