Mossad Thwarts Iranian Plot to Assassinate Israeli Officials
The Mossad announced that it has thwarted an Iranian plot orchestrated by the Ministry of Intelligence to infiltrate a terrorist cell into Israel with the intent of assassinating senior Israeli officials. This operation was made possible through collaboration between the Mossad, Shin Bet, and intelligence services from several foreign countries. In recent years, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have intensified their global terror campaign targeting Israeli and Jewish interests, with a notable increase in efforts to execute attacks within Israel.
The Mossad reported that numerous Iranian-linked terror networks have been disrupted over the years, and authorities have uncovered attempts to recruit Israeli citizens for missions on behalf of the Iranian regime. The operation relied on criminal proxy networks that recruited individuals capable of entering Israel to gather intelligence and carry out terrorist attacks. International cooperation was crucial in exposing the operational infrastructure and identifying Iranian Ministry of Intelligence officers involved in the plot.
The Mossad identified Thérot Ozkor, alias "Philip," who had been residing in France, as the individual tasked with establishing the operational cell composed of foreign nationals. He was recruited by two criminal proxies, Baba Mahu-Zadeh Haji Jafan, known as "Babak," and Mahmat Nadim Yiğit, referred to as "Nadim," both of whom operate under the direction of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence. Philip reportedly traveled to Iran multiple times to meet with his handlers and receive payments for advancing the operation.
Investigations revealed connections between Babak and Nadim and their Iranian handlers, identified as Asadollah Behzad Oskhari, Vahid Matzoumi, Mohammad-Hossein Zoghi, and Hamid Ghasemi. Behzad Oskhari was noted for his significant role in the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence's efforts to execute terrorist attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets and was killed during Operation Rising Lion.
Philip was expelled from France due to his involvement in planning the terrorist operation, while Babak and Nadim remain active in Iran and are of interest to intelligence agencies worldwide. The Mossad and Shin Bet emphasized their commitment to collaborating with international partners to detect and thwart terrorism and espionage targeting Israeli and Jewish interests, both domestically and abroad, and to ensure that all involved are brought to justice.
