Mossad Thwarts Iranian Plot to Assassinate Israeli Figures

The Mossad announced Thursday that it thwarted an Iranian plot to infiltrate foreign operatives into Israel for the purpose of assassinating senior Israeli figures. The operation was directed by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and the Revolutionary Guard Corps using a proxy-by-proxy method to recruit criminal networks, intended to shield Tehran from direct attribution.

Working with Shin Bet and international intelligence agencies, Israeli authorities identified Tharwat Ozkour, an operative known as Philip, as the person responsible for recruiting the operational team. Ozkour was subsequently expelled from France. Investigators determined that Ozkour received instructions and payments in Iran from proxies Baba Mahou-Zadeh Haji Jafan and Mehmet Nedim Yigit.

The investigation identified four Ministry of Intelligence officers as handlers: Assadollah Behzad Ohsari, Vahid Masoumi, Mohammad-Hossein Zoghi, and Hamid Ghasemi. The Mossad reported that Behzad Ohsari, a central figure in these efforts, was killed during the Roaring Lion war.