Israeli arrested over Iran plot to kill Netanyahu, Israeli security services reveal
… Prime Minister Netanyahu was identified as one of the suspect’s targets
An Israeli citizen has been arrested on suspicion of involvement in a plot by Iran to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top officials, according to Israel’s security services.
Israeli police and domestic intelligence stated that the suspect was smuggled into Iran twice and received payments to carry out missions. In a joint statement, they revealed that the suspect, a businessman who had lived in Turkey, used Turkish contacts to gain access to Iran.
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, long-standing regional rivals. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was arrested last month. His alleged targets included the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and the head of Israel’s internal security agency, Shin Bet.
The statement detailed that in April and May, the suspect traveled to Samandag, Turkey, to meet a wealthy Iranian businessman known as “Eddie” and was assisted by two Turkish citizens.
Eddie reportedly had difficulties leaving Iran on both occasions, leading to the Israeli being smuggled into Iran instead. There, he met Eddie and an Iranian security operative.
Eddie allegedly tasked the Israeli with carrying out various security missions in Israel for the Iranian regime. These included transferring money or weapons, photographing crowded areas in Israel, and sending the images to Iranian agents.
The Israeli was also asked to threaten other Israeli citizens who had been recruited by Iran but had not completed their tasks.
During the second meeting in Iran, Iranian intelligence agents reportedly instructed the suspect to carry out terrorist activities in Israel, including the assassination of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
The plot also allegedly extended to former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other public figures, in retaliation for the July 2024 killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, for which Iran blamed Israel. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in that attack.
Investigators reported that the suspect demanded a $1 million advance payment. The group is also said to have discussed assassinating Iranian regime opponents in Europe and the U.S., as well as recruiting a Mossad operative to act as a double agent.
The Israeli is alleged to have received 5,000 euros ($5,600; £4,200) for his meetings. A senior Shin Bet official said the case exemplifies “the significant efforts by Iranian intelligence to recruit Israeli citizens for terrorist activities in Israel.”
Iran and Israel have been adversaries since the Islamic Revolution brought the current Iranian regime to power in 1979. Iran does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and supports Israeli adversaries such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hostilities between the two nations have escalated in recent months amid the Gaza conflict, with both sides engaging in direct and indirect attacks.
Credit: BBC
