In a high-stakes operation that underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, Israeli security forces have successfully foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate prominent Israeli figures. The Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), responsible for internal security, announced on Tuesday that they had apprehended seven individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination plot.
The alleged plot, which involved the targeting of a senior Israeli scientist and the mayor of a major Israeli city, was orchestrated by Iranian agents, according to the Shin Bet. The suspects, some of whom are Israeli nationals, were recruited by Iranian operatives and tasked with carrying out various acts of sabotage and violence.
The arrested individuals, all residents of Beit Safafa, an Arab neighborhood in Jerusalem, were allegedly directed by Iranian agents to carry out a range of activities, including spraying graffiti in various locations, setting fire to vehicles in Jerusalem’s Ein Kerem neighborhood, and gathering intelligence.
The main suspect, a 23-year-old Israeli national, reportedly came into contact with an Iranian agent and agreed to perform various tasks. He subsequently recruited a team to assist him in carrying out these assignments, including the attempted assassination of the scientist and the mayor.
The suspects were also planning to blow up a police car and throw a grenade at a house. The Iranian agent allegedly offered the suspects a hefty sum of 200,000 shekels ($53,000) for carrying out these acts.
During the police investigation, investigators discovered a fake police identification plate, around 50,000 shekels ($13,000) in cash, and a large number of credit cards. The suspects also reportedly photographed the targeted scientist’s home, for which they were paid 500 shekels ($132).
This latest incident comes just a day after it was revealed that seven Israelis, including two minors, were arrested for spying for Iran. These individuals are suspected of collecting information and providing photographs of four Israeli military bases to a Russian agent in exchange for cash and cryptocurrency.
The foiled assassination plot underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, which have been engaged in a long-standing conflict. The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the plot, but the arrests and investigations suggest a clear Iranian effort to undermine Israeli security and destabilize the region.