Tel Aviv, Feb. 16 -- An Israeli-Arab man was indicted on Monday on charges of gathering intelligence on former Defence Minister Yoav Galant on behalf of an Iranian agent, prosecutors announced Monday.

The defendant, Fares Abu al-Hija, 32, a resident of the northern Galilee village of Kaukab Abu al-Hija, was arrested in late January while photographing streets near Galant's home in Moshav Amikam. Authorities said the operation was part of a wider intelligence-gathering mission allegedly orchestrated by an Iranian handler.

According to the indictment filed with the Haifa District Court, Abu al-Hija first came into contact with the agent through the messaging app Telegram last August while searching for work. Prosecutors allege he was paid...