Israeli security services have arrested an Israeli citizen suspected of being involved in an Iranian plot to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other high-ranking officials.
According to the joint statement by Israeli police and domestic intelligence, the suspect, a businessman with Turkish contacts, was smuggled into Iran on two occasions and paid for missions by Iranian operatives.
The targets included Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar. Investigators claim the suspect was asked to carry out terrorist activities within Israel, including the assassination of key Israeli leaders. Additionally, the plot involved discussions of killing Iranian regime opponents in Europe and the U.S.
The Israeli citizen in question reportedly returned to Israel after his initial visit to Iran but was smuggled back into Iran a second time in August, hidden in a truck.
According to the Shin Bet statement, the origins of the plot date back to April, when the unnamed Israeli citizen agreed to meet a wealthy Iranian businessman, identified only as “Adi,” for business purposes. Initially, the Israeli was told that Adi could not leave Iran, leading to his being smuggled into Iran from eastern Turkey.
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Once inside Iran, the Israeli met not only Adi but also other individuals, including a person identified as an Iranian security official.
During this second trip, Iranian officials asked him to execute terrorist attacks on behalf of Iran, including proposals to assassinate high-profile Israeli officials such as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
In response, the suspect demanded a payment of $1 million for these tasks. While Iranian officials declined this request, they agreed to stay in contact with him and paid him 5,000 euros (about $5,570) for attending the meetings. The plot underscores the ongoing efforts by Iranian intelligence to target Israeli figures amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
The investigation highlights Iran’s ongoing efforts to recruit Israeli citizens to advance its agenda.
This comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly in the context of the Gaza conflict.
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