Turkish media: Iranian cell caught while plotting to assassinate Israeli in Istanbul

Turkish intelligence thwarted an Iranian plan to assassinate an Israeli businessman in the country, according to unconfirmed reports in Turkish media Friday.

Authorities led an arrest operation in recent days, arresting eight suspects in the case, according to the Sabah newspaper and many other media outlets.

The reports say an Iranian spy cell comprised of nine operatives, some Iranian and some Turkish, who were sent to kill Yair Geller, an Israeli-Turkish businessman who lives in Istanbul and owns an engineering company specializing in aerospace technology.

The planned hit was to be a retaliation for the killing of Iranian nuclear chief Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020, widely attributed to Israel’s Mossad, the reports said, as well as a means to hinder warming relations between Ankara and Jerusalem.

The reports say the hit squad followed Geller to his home and workplace and was planning to use Turkish citizens to carry out the assassination.

Unbeknownst to the spies, they were being watched themselves, by Turkish agents. Once these determined that assassination preparations were underway, they shared the information with Mossad.

Geller was then transferred to a safe house, with Mossad actively aiding in his protection, the report said. He was invited to move to Israel for safety but declined.

Meanwhile, eight cell members were arrested by Turkish police. The leader of the cell in Turkey was identified as Iranian Moshtagh Bighouz. A ninth person, the squad’s leader in Iran, was named as Iranian intelligence officer Yasin Taheremamkendi.

The suspects have been charged with plotting to commit a crime.

The reports are the latest alleged attempt by Iran to assassinate an Israeli businessman abroad.

In November, Cypriot authorities filed charges against six suspects for allegedly planning to attack Israeli targets on the eastern Mediterranean island.

Israel said the cell had been sent by Iran to assassinate billionaire Teddy Sagi, and possibly others.

Among those charged was Orkhan Asadov, a 38-year-old Azerbaijani national. He and three Pakistanis indicted in the case were accused of plotting to visit Cyprus to commit acts of terror.

All but one of the suspects allegedly planned to kill five Israelis who live in Cyprus, according to the Politis daily.

News of the alleged attack plans broke in early October after Asadov was arrested on suspicion of planning an attack against Israelis. Asadov reportedly was in possession of a gun and silencer when he was arrested.