Shin Bet Unveils Iranian-Assisted Assassination Plot Against Israeli Leaders
On Thursday, Israel's internal security agency, Shin Bet, announced the indictment of an Israeli citizen implicated in a conspiracy orchestrated by Iran to assassinate key political and military figures, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The suspect, whose name has not been released, was arrested in August and is reported to be a businessman who had lived in Turkey for several years, where he allegedly forged connections with Turkish and Iranian nationals.
The Shin Bet reported that this assassination plot was allegedly coordinated by Iranian officials in retaliation for the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, which occurred in Tehran in July and has been linked to Israel's covert actions. According to the agency, the suspect made two trips to Iran between April and August this year to partake in meetings aimed at plotting the assassinations of Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
The Shin Bet disclosed that the individual was able to enter Iran through the intermediary assistance of two Turkish citizens. He was reportedly tasked with executing the planned assassinations by a businessman residing in Iran and a member of the Iranian security forces. During these meetings, the suspect purportedly proposed receiving an advance payment of one million dollars for his involvement but was initially rebuffed. Eventually, he was compensated with a total of 5,000 dollars.
This revelation underscores the ongoing tensions and dangers that Israel faces from Iran-backed operations, as well as the complex web of international connections that are reportedly being leveraged in such plots against Israeli officials. As investigations continue, the implications of this case could resonate deeply within both domestic and international security discussions.
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