The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, revealed on Thursday that Iran had plotted to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar. The plan followed the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which many attribute to Mossad, though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility.
Iran had also explored targeting former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and other high-ranking Israeli defense officials. A key part of the plot involved an Israeli businessman with ties to Turkey and Iran. In April, Turkish citizens Andrei Farouk Aslan and Guneid Aslan met with the businessman in the Turkish city of Samandağ, proposing financial dealings linked to Iran.
In May, the businessman was smuggled into Iran, where he met an Iranian named Edi and a security official known as Haj. During a second visit to Iran in August, he received €5,000 to support the assassination plot. The plan included potential espionage activities, such as turning a Mossad agent into a double agent and providing videos of Israeli sites for intelligence purposes.
The Shin Bet emphasized that the businessman had not made significant progress in carrying out the plot. However, they underscored the severity of any engagement with Iran, particularly during a time of conflict. The businessman was indicted on Thursday.
It is unclear whether Turkish authorities are cooperating with Israel on this case.