Israeli Defence Forces have arrested an Israeli businessman after allegedly accepting 5,000 euros from Iran to assassinate Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli authorities revealed Thursday.
According to the officials, Iranian operatives aimed to use the unnamed businessman, who had ties to Turkey, to orchestrate the assassination plot against Netanyahu and other top Israeli figures, including former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.
Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency Director, Ronen Bar, and Israeli Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant disclosed that Tehran was behind a covert operation targeting senior Israeli officials, following the assassination of Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh in late July.
According to Mail Online reports, plans were reportedly in motion as early as April this year when two Turkish citizens approached the Israeli businessman to discuss the scheme.
The officials stated that the two Turkish men, Andrei Farouk Aslan and Guneid Aslan acted as intermediaries connecting the alleged assassin with Iran through Turkey.
The reports stated that the intermediaries reportedly met with the unnamed Israeli in Samandag to discuss the plot in May.
The businessman allegedly demanded one million dollars before agreeing to any terms but it is believed that he subsequently received 5,000 euros while undergoing training in Iran.
As part of his assignment, the businessman was allegedly tasked with filming Israeli sites for surveillance and intelligence purposes.
Iran also allegedly sought his assistance in recruiting Russians and Americans capable of assassinating figures opposed to the Iranian regime.
The businessman was indicted on Thursday.
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