Iran Foils Plot to Infiltrate Foreign Operatives into Israel for Assassinations

Iran's intelligence ministry attempted to infiltrate a cell of foreign operatives into Israel to target senior Israeli officials. The plot was uncovered and thwarted through cooperation between Israel's Mossad, Shin Bet, and intelligence agencies from other countries. According to a joint security statement, Iran operated the network via criminal intermediaries who recruited individuals either residing in or able to enter Israel. These recruits initially gathered intelligence on assassination targets before being tasked with carrying out attacks.

At the center of the operation was Therut Ozkor, known as "Philip," who lived in France and was responsible for recruiting the operational cell of foreign nationals and facilitating their entry into Israel. Philip traveled to Iran multiple times to receive instructions and payments from his handlers. He was recruited by two Iranian-based criminal figures, Baba Mahu Zadeh Haji Jafan ("Babak") and Mahmat Nadim Yait ("Nadim"), both operating under the Iranian intelligence ministry's auspices.

Babak and Nadim are linked to Najji Sharifi Zindashti, a drug lord long used by Iran to advance terrorist activities. Investigations across several countries revealed their connections to four Iranian intelligence officers: Asadollah Behzad Okhsari, Khid Matzoumi, Mohammad Hossein Douki, and Hamid Qasemi. Behzad Okhsari was a key figure in Iran's efforts to orchestrate attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets before being eliminated during the "Roaring Lion" conflict.

Philip was expelled from France due to his involvement in planning terrorism. Babak and Nadim continue to operate from Iran, attempting to establish terror cells and remain under global intelligence surveillance. The method aimed to distance Tehran from direct operational involvement, but investigations traced the network from recruited agents back to Iranian intelligence officers.