Shin Bet Extracts Yair Netanyahu After Iranian Assassination Plot

The Shin Bet security agency confirmed it executed an urgent operation to extract Yair Netanyahu, the eldest son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from Miami, Florida, following a significant threat to his life. Israeli intelligence discovered the plot in December 2025, finding that an Iranian cell had conducted surveillance on Yair's residence and routines. The extraction was so urgent that Yair reportedly left his belongings behind, and the agency diverted security agents from President Isaac Herzog's detail in New York to facilitate the move.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed the attempt during a Channel 14 interview, describing it as an unbelievable case and stating that Iran tried to murder one of his sons. He used the revelation to argue that high-level security is not a luxury, specifically responding to reports that Shin Bet had declined to provide protection for political rival Gadi Eisenkot ahead of the October 27 general elections. Yair Netanyahu has since filed a formal complaint alleging that an Iranian terrorist squad reached his front door and was thwarted by guards. He further accused journalist Ori Misgav of facilitating the plot by publishing his private address and security details.

The incident occurs amid extreme tensions following a February 2026 joint U.S.-Israeli strike in Tehran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has pledged to avenge his father's death, though the government of Iran has not officially claimed responsibility for the plot against Yair Netanyahu.