Iranian Terrorist Attack on Israelis Thwarted in Cyprus 

Latest Developments 

An Iranian terrorist attack against Israelis in Cyprus was foiled, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on June 25. The statement followed a Cypriot newspaper report about a counterterrorist interdiction of several agents of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who had been based in the Turkish-ruled north of the island. Their suspected ringleader escaped, and an international warrant for his arrest will be sought, the newspaper said. Israel’s Channel 12 TV said the cells likely targeted an Israeli businessman active in Cypriot real estate, the Larnaca Chabad House, and Israeli tourists.  

Hinting at a Mossad role in the foiling of the attack, Netanyahu said, “The State of Israel is using a wide range of methods everywhere in order to defend Jews and Israelis and will continue to act in order to uproot Iranian terrorism wherever it rears its head, including in Iran, the main fomenter of terrorism in the world.” 

Expert Analysis 

“On an almost monthly basis we are learning of Iran’s international campaign of attempted murder. Yet again, a Western country has been spared bloodshed on its turf, apparently thanks to timely Israeli intervention.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO 

“It’s no coincidence Iran is repeatedly being caught attempting to carry out covert assassinations. This is a deliberate campaign of terrorism against Jews and Israelis by a regime known for its human rights abuses and for murdering innocent civilians at home and abroad.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal 

A History of Terrorist Plots Abroad 

Earlier this year, with the help of the Mossad, Greek authorities thwarted an Iran-backed plot against a Jewish target in the country. Greek law enforcement arrested two Pakistani nationals on suspicion of planning an attack against an Israeli restaurant in the Greek capital, local police said. According to a statement by Netanyahu’s office, the Mossad helped Greek authorities uncover the suspect’s network, including its ties to Iran.  

On November 11, 2022, Georgian authorities said they arrested two Iranian nationals and a Pakistani national affiliated with al-Qaeda who plotted to kill an Israeli-Georgian businessman, Itzik Moshe, in the capital of Tbilisi. Like the plot in Greece the following year, the IRGC was allegedly involved. 

Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization said on June 23, 2022, that it arrested eight suspects, including some members of the IRGC, for plotting to kidnap Israeli diplomats and tourists. The plot followed a travel advisory issued to Israelis visiting Istanbul that was prompted by Iranian threats.  

Related Analysis 

“Iran-Backed Athens Attack Foiled With Mossad Help,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Iran Caught Again Trying to Kill Israeli Civilians Abroad,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Iranian intelligence plot reaches US soil — and should complicate negotiations,” by Toby Dershowitz and Dylan Gresik