The 2022 Istanbul terror plot was a terror plot uncovered by Mossad and the National Intelligence Organization. The plot consisted of an Iranian-led terror cell which planned to kidnap, murder, and assault Israeli tourists in Istanbul. Israel had given advisories against travelling to Turkey on 30 May and upgraded the advisory on 13 June, amid threats made by Iran.[1][2] Israel later told its citizens in Turkey to lock their doors after a couple had to be transported following a tip of an Iranian terror cell waiting to kidnap them.[3] Several suspects were arrested on 14 June in Istanbul, while the arrests were made public the 23 of June.
| Part of Iran–Israel proxy conflict | |
| Date | 30 May 2022 (travel advisory) 13 June 2022 (Mossad rescue operation) 14 June 2022 (arrests made) 23 June 2022 (arrests made public) |
|---|---|
| Location | Istanbul |
| Type | Terrorism |
| Cause | Assassination of Hassan Sayyad Khodaei |
| Target | Israeli tourists |
| Accused | Iranian intelligence |
Background
editIn May, Israeli and Turkish security agencies foiled an Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli tourists in Turkey.[4]
First Travel Advisory
editOn 30 May, Israel issued a travel warning on non-essential on Turkey due to Iranian threats of revenge following the assassination of Khodaei.[5]
13 June incident and advisory upgraded
editOn 13 June, an Israeli couple at a market were called and told on by Mossad to stay where they were due to an Iranian terror cell waiting for them at their hotel to kidnap them. It was reported that they were transported to Istanbul Airport, where they were put on a flight back to Israel. It was later reported that they were extensively questioned afterwards.[3] In the aftermath of the rescue operation, Israel told its citizens to evacuate Istanbul and Turkey immediately.[6][7] They were also told to postpone future trips to Turkey until further notice.[8]
Plot foiled and arrests made
editOn 23 June 2022, the National Intelligence Organization of Turkey announced that 10 Iranian and Turkish operatives had been detained in Istanbul's Beyoğlu area following multiple raids and weapons seizure.[9][10] Local security forces reported that Iranian agents were still at large and that a former Israeli ambassador and his wife were allegedly targeted.[11][2] It was later uncovered that the suspects had been arrested on 14 July near Taksim Square.
Reactions
edit
Foreign Minister of Israel Yair Lapid thanked Turkish officials and forces for helping to uncover a conspiracy to harm Israelis.[12]
The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied Israeli and Turkish claims of a plot, rendering them 'baseless'.[13][14]
Turkish media reported that Iran had paid the agents.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Fabian, Emanuel; Berman, Lazar. "Israelis told to leave Istanbul, stay away from Turkey, amid Iran terror threat". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ a b Bob, Yonah Jeremy; Meitav, Roman (23 June 2022). "Mossad, Turkey foil Iranian plot to kidnap Israelis". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ a b "Israelis in Istanbul were whisked away as Iranian assassins waited at hotel — report". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "Iranian kidnapping of Israeli tourists said thwarted in Turkey last month". Times of Israel. 12 June 2022.
- ^ Lubell, Maayan (2022-05-30). Chopra, Toby (ed.). "Israel warns against travel to Turkey citing Iran assassination". Reuters. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ "Israeli travel warning for Turkey to remain until Iran terror cell caught – report". 16 June 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Israeli, Turkish security forces working to nab Iranian agents still thought to be in country; Ankara said to convey 'blunt' warning to Tehran not to use its territory for attacks
- ^ Maszczynski, Mateusz (17 June 2022). "Breaking: Israel Urges its Citizens in Istanbul to Lock Themselves in Hotel Rooms Over Fears of Iranian Terror Plot". Paddle your own Kanoo.
- ^ "Israel Urges All Citizens To Evacuate Istanbul Immediately, Citing Iranian 'Revenge' Plot". Tsionizm. 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ Uniyal, Vijeta (23 June 2022). "Iranian Terror Cell Plotting to Kill Israelis Nabbed in Turkey". Legal Insurrection. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Death squad comprising of "eight suspects, including Iranian nationals, who were plotting attacks on Israeli citizens in Turkey."
- ^ "Turkey said to nab Iranian cell planning attacks on Israelis". Times of Israel. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Agents, including some Iranian nationals, reportedly arrested last week in raid in Beyoglu district of Istanbul; ex-diplomat and his wife said targeted in plot
- ^ "Official says Mossad, local intel foiled 3 Iran plots to attack Israelis in Istanbul". Times of Israel. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Israeli security source briefing reporters notes situation stabilizing in Turkey but predicts travel warning will remain in place for now as Iranian agents remain at large
- ^ "Turkey foils alleged Iran plot to kill Israelis in Istanbul". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
Turkish authorities arrested Iranians suspected of planning attacks on Israeli tourists and businesspeople with pistols and silencers.
- ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (24 June 2022). "Iran slams 'ridiculous Zionist accusation' of terror cell in Turkey". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
- ^ Heinrich, Mark, ed. (24 June 2022). "Iran: Israeli accusation of Iranian plot to harm Israelis in Istanbul 'ridiculous'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ "Turkish media: Iran paid $35,000 to agents tasked with killing Israelis in Istanbul". Times of Israel.