Jews are not permitted in the Iranian Army. In an emailed message to Israel, the soldier, whose name was withheld, said his grandparents were Jews but his parents converted to Islam out of fear of the regime, and that allowed him to join the Army. But he said he personally considered himself Jewish.
The request was sent to Danny Danon, chairman of the Knesset Immigration Committee, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
The email sought instructions on how to flee Iran and reach Israel.
The Mossad told the Knesset committee that the Islamic Republic only issues passports to men after they have completed military service.