Shin Bet says it has foiled several Iranian assassination plots in Israel, some in very advanced stages

The Shin Bet security agency warns in a statement that Iran has increasingly been attempting to carry out assassinations in Israel.

Recently, several assassination plots were foiled, including some in very advanced stages, details of which have not yet been released to the public, the Shin Bet says.

“In recent weeks, the Shin Bet has detected a significant rise in Iran’s efforts to advance assassination attacks against targets in Israel,” the agency says.

The Shin Bet says that Iran has been attempting to recruit Israeli civilians to harm senior officials in the country.

It notes the recent arrest of Moti Maman, who was smuggled into Iran twice and was tasked with helping to assassinate the prime minister, defense minister, or head of the Shin Bet.

The agency says that Iran has also attempted to recruit Israelis online. The Iranian operatives locate Israeli targets on social media, including channels relating to cryptocurrency, finance, and job searching, the Shin Bet says.

The Iranian operatives would offer those Israelis a high salary for carrying out various tasks, including “placing money or phones in various areas in Israel, distributing flyers, painting graffiti, and even setting fire to cars and physically harming people,” according to the Shin Bet.

“The Shin Bet asks the public to pay increased attention and take extra caution in any case where suspicion arises… especially when the sums involved are large and are not suited to the nature of the requested tasks, or… if the requested tasks are unusual,” the agency says.

The Shin Bet calls on the public to report any suspicious activity.