Israeli authorities announced the arrest of Moti Maman, a 73-year-old Israeli citizen, who was recruited by Iran to carry out high-profile assassinations. Maman was indicted on Thursday, following his arrest for security offenses related to his dealings with Iran.
According to the investigation, Maman was smuggled into Iran on two separate occasions, where he received funding from Iranian officials to carry out missions, including the assassination of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar. Other prominent Israeli leaders were also targeted.
Maman’s involvement with Iran began in April when he met an Iranian businessman in Turkey, who introduced him to a member of Iran’s security force during a subsequent meeting in August. The Iranian officials asked Maman to assist with various tasks, including passing money and weapons to others, conducting surveillance, and threatening Israelis who failed to carry out their missions.
A senior Shin Bet official described the case as a “very serious affair” that exemplifies the extensive efforts of Iranian intelligence agencies to recruit Israeli citizens for terror activities.
Iran’s motivations for the assassination plots are believed to be linked to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which Israel is suspected of orchestrating. Tehran had vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s death but did not immediately respond.
Israel recently thwarted a Hezbollah bombing attempt targeting former military officials. This operation is part of a larger Israeli intelligence effort to sabotage Hezbollah’s communication devices, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries.
The US has accused Tehran of plotting to assassinate senior US officials, including former President Donald Trump, in retaliation for the January 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, has pleaded not guilty to charges related to a plot to assassinate Trump. Merchant arrived in the US in April and contacted someone he thought could help with the plan. However, the individual turned out to be a confidential informant, introducing Merchant to two undercover US law enforcement officials posing as hitmen.
Iran’s threats against US officials extend beyond Trump, including members of his administration present during the Soleimani strike.
The Justice Department unsealed charges in August 2022 against Shahram Poursafi, an Iranian national and IRGC member, for attempting to arrange the murder of then-Trump national security adviser John Bolton. Poursafi allegedly agreed to pay $300,000 for the hit and mentioned an additional “job” worth $1 million.
