Iranian Assassination Plot Targeted Yair Netanyahu in Florida, Warns US Source

Yair Netanyahu, eldest son of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was reportedly the target of an Iranian assassination attempt while staying in South Florida, according to a Tuesday report by Newsmax citing a US law enforcement source. The Israeli intelligence community uncovered the plot in December and alerted American authorities. Iranian operatives were allegedly already present in the Miami area, conducting surveillance on Yair's residence and movements. Following the warning, Yair, who was under constant Israeli security detail, immediately left Florida without his belongings and returned to Israel, where he currently resides.

Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously revealed that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons during a Channel 14 interview but did not specify which son. The US source confirmed it was Yair, 35, who had been living in Hallandale Beach near Miami. The Israeli military censor had reportedly barred media from publishing details of the assassination attempt for months. Yair Netanyahu has become a prominent conservative political commentator and vocal defender of his father while spending extended periods in the Miami area.

The assassination attempt disclosure came as Netanyahu defended the extensive security measures protecting his family, emphasizing that such protection is essential to prevent attackers from succeeding. In July, the Shin Bet extended security coverage for Netanyahu’s wife Sara and their sons Yair and Avner for another five years, regardless of Netanyahu’s political status.

This incident adds to a series of Iranian threats and assassination plots against Israeli and American officials and their families. The US Justice Department has linked Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to multiple overseas revenge operations following the 2020 killing of Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Recent indictments include an Iranian asset accused of plotting to kill former President Donald Trump and another accused of offering $300,000 to assassinate former National Security Advisor John Bolton.

The Iranian threat has also extended to the Trump family, with Iranian state media recently airing a video targeting Barron Trump, highlighting his movements and security details. Threats against other Trump family members, including Melania Trump, have been publicized by Iranian media. In July, US and Turkish intelligence thwarted a credible missile attack plot against Donald Trump’s plane during a NATO summit in Ankara, with Israeli intelligence also providing warnings that led to Trump’s discreet transfer to a military aircraft.