Benjamin Netanyahu Accuses Iran of Plotting Son's Assassination

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons. Speaking in a telephone interview with Channel 14, Netanyahu did not specify which son was targeted, the timing of the plot, or how close the attempt came to succeeding.

The claim surfaced during a dispute over security protocols for the October 27 general elections. Reports indicated that the Shin Bet security agency declined to provide protection for Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief and political rival. Netanyahu argued that such security is "not a luxury" and insisted that all prime ministerial candidates receive appropriate protection.

This allegation follows a period of extreme tension since a U.S.-Israeli war against Iran began in February, which resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Mojtaba Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader and son of Ali Khamenei, previously pledged to "avenge the blood" of his father. Journalist Amit Segal reported that the assassination attempt on Netanyahu's son had been known for months but was subject to a gag order.