Turkish intelligence arrests five over alleged espionage for Iran

In a joint operation by Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation (MİT) and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, five individuals suspected of spying for Iran’s intelligence service have been taken into custody.

The operation, carried out simultaneously in Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin, targeted individuals accused of gathering intelligence on military bases and strategically significant locations within Türkiye, as well as critical sites abroad, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The suspects were apprehended as part of the investigation into their alleged activities of collecting and transmitting sensitive information to Iranian intelligence.

Note that, Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has significantly evolved since 2010, becoming a more independent and operationally capable agency. This transformation is largely credited to former intelligence chief and current Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who spearheaded modernisation efforts, enhancing MIT’s technological capacity and expanding its foreign operations.

Legislative changes, particularly in 2014, granted MIT greater authority to conduct overseas missions, strengthening its counterterrorism capabilities. The agency has played a key role in eliminating high-profile figures, including PKK leader Ismail Özden and Daesh leader Abu Hussein al-Qurashi. Additionally, MIT has prioritised minimising civilian casualties during operations.

Beyond security operations, MIT has established itself as a crucial player in intelligence diplomacy, working alongside Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry in international negotiations. The agency was instrumental in resolving the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and facilitating the Black Sea grain deal.

With İbrahim Kalın as its new director, MIT is expected to refine its strategic role, focusing on long-term national security planning. Experts stress that while its growing visibility enhances Türkiye’s diplomatic leverage, it also invites greater scrutiny. Continued investment in technology, education, and institutional capacity will be vital to sustaining MIT’s progress.

By Aghakazim Guliyev