| Part ofIran–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 ofHassan Sayyad Khodaei |
| Target | Israeli tourists |
| Accused | Iranian intelligence |
The2022 Istanbul terror plot was a terror plot uncovered byMossad and theNational Intelligence Organization (MİT). The plot consisted of an Iranian-ledterror cell which planned tokidnap,murder, andassault Israeli tourists inIstanbul. 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.
In May, Israeli and Turkish security agencies foiled an Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli tourists in Turkey.[4]
On 30 May, Israel issued atravel warning on non-essential on Turkey due to Iranian threats of revenge following the assassination of Khodaei.[5]
On 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 toIstanbul 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]
On 23 June 2022, theNational Intelligence Organization of Turkey announced that 10 Iranian and Turkish operatives had been detained in Istanbul'sBeyoğlu 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 nearTaksim Square.
Foreign Minister of IsraelYair Lapid thanked Turkish officials and forces for helping to uncover a conspiracy to harm Israelis.[12]
TheIranian 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]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
Death squad comprising of "eight suspects, including Iranian nationals, who were plotting attacks on Israeli citizens in Turkey."
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
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
Turkish authorities arrested Iranians suspected of planning attacks on Israeli tourists and businesspeople with pistols and silencers.
