2022 Istanbul terror plot explained
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.
Background
See main article: Hassan Sayyad Khodaei. In May, Israeli and Turkish security agencies foiled an Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli tourists in Turkey.[4]
First Travel Advisory
On 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
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 to Istanbul Airport, where they were put on a flight back to Israel. It was later reported that they were extensively questioned afterwards. 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
On 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] It was later uncovered that the suspects had been arrested on 14 July near Taksim Square.
Reactions
See also
Notes and References
- Web site: Fabian . Emanuel . Berman . Lazar . Israelis told to leave Istanbul, stay away from Turkey, amid Iran terror threat . 2023-07-09 . Times of Israel . en-US.
- Web site: Bob . Yonah Jeremy . Meitav . Roman . 23 June 2022 . Mossad, Turkey foil Iranian plot to kidnap Israelis . 2023-07-09 . The Jerusalem Post . en-US.
- Web site: Israelis in Istanbul were whisked away as Iranian assassins waited at hotel — report . 2023-07-09 . Times of Israel . en-US.
- Web site: Iranian kidnapping of Israeli tourists said thwarted in Turkey last month. Times of Israel. 12 June 2022.
- News: Lubell . Maayan . 2022-05-30 . Israel warns against travel to Turkey citing Iran assassination . en . Reuters . Chopra . Toby . live . 2023-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220609032428/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-warns-against-travel-turkey-citing-iran-assassination-2022-05-30/ . 9 June 2022.
- News: 16 June 2022 . Israeli travel warning for Turkey to remain until Iran terror cell caught – report . 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.
- Web site: 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.
- Web site: 2022-06-13 . Israel Urges All Citizens To Evacuate Istanbul Immediately, Citing Iranian 'Revenge' Plot . 2023-07-09 . Tsionizm . en-US.
- News: Uniyal. Vijeta. Iranian Terror Cell Plotting to Kill Israelis Nabbed in Turkey. Death squad “eight suspects, including Iranian nationals, who were plotting attacks on Israeli citizens in Turkey.”. 23 June 2022. 4 August 2022. Legal Insurrection.
- News: Turkey said to nab Iranian cell planning attacks on Israelis. 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. Times of Israel. 23 June 2022. 4 August 2022.
- News: 24 July 2022 . Official says Mossad, local intel foiled 3 Iran plots to attack Israelis in Istanbul . Times of Israel . 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.
- News: Turkey foils alleged Iran plot to kill Israelis in Istanbul. Al Jazeera. Turkish authorities arrested Iranians suspected of planning attacks on Israeli tourists and businesspeople with pistols and silencers.. 4 August 2022.
- Web site: Lazaroff . Tovah . 24 June 2022 . Iran slams 'ridiculous Zionist accusation' of terror cell in Turkey . 2023-07-09 . The Jerusalem Post . en-US.
- News: 24 June 2022 . Iran: Israeli accusation of Iranian plot to harm Israelis in Istanbul 'ridiculous' . Reuters . Heinrich . Mark . live . registration . 27 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220627012621/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-israeli-accusation-iranian-plot-harm-israelis-istanbul-ridiculous-2022-06-24/ . 27 June 2022.
- Web site: Turkish media: Iran paid $35,000 to agents tasked with killing Israelis in Istanbul . Times of Israel.
Foreign Minister of Israel Yair Lapid thanked Turkish officials and forces for helping to uncover a conspiracy to harm Israelis.[12]
Turkish media reported that Iran had paid the agents.[15]