Israeli police arrested a citizen suspected of being recruited by Iranian intelligence to orchestrate the assassinations of top Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a joint statement from the police and Shin Bet on Thursday.

The statement revealed that the Israeli citizen had been recruited by Iranian operatives to advance assassination plots against Israeli officials. The individual was smuggled into Iran twice, receiving payment for missions he was assigned to carry out. Targets included Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, among others.

The suspect, identified as a businessman who had lived in Turkey for an extended time, maintained connections with Turkish and Iranian associates. These connections led him to an Iranian businessman, referred to as Eddie. According to local media reports, the individual is a Jewish man from Ashkelon.

In May 2024, the suspect reportedly traveled to Iran to meet Eddie but faced difficulties leaving the country. During this trip, he was introduced to Hajjah, an alleged Iranian security operative, and tasked with completing security-related assignments in Israel. These tasks included smuggling money or weapons, photographing crowded areas, and intimidating other Israelis recruited by Tehran.

In August, the man was smuggled back to Iran in a lorry, where he met additional Iranian intelligence agents. They instructed him to carry out terrorist activities in Israel, including planning assassination attempts. Some of these planned attacks were believed to be retaliation for the July killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, for which Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel. Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death.

The suspect was also asked to recruit members of Israel’s Mossad to act as double agents. After requesting a $1 million advance, he was given 5,000 euros for his involvement in the meetings and informed that further contact would be made.

A senior Shin Bet official described the case as a significant example of Iranian intelligence’s persistent efforts to recruit Israeli citizens for terrorist activities.