Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency said it helped foil an Iranian plot to send foreign operatives into Israel to gather intelligence and attack senior Israeli officials.
The agency said Thursday that the operation was uncovered with the Israel Security Agency, or Shin Bet, and foreign intelligence and security services. According to the Mossad, the plan was directed by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and relied on criminal networks to recruit people capable of entering Israel.
Israeli officials said the use of criminal intermediaries was intended to obscure Tehran’s role and create distance between Iranian intelligence officers and planned terrorist activity.
The Mossad identified a France-based criminal, referred to as “Philip,” as a key recruiter allegedly tasked with assembling a foreign operational cell. Israeli reports identified him as Turut Ozkor or Servet Ozkur. The agency said he traveled to Iran several times to meet handlers and receive payment.
According to the Mossad, Philip was recruited by two criminal operatives based in Iran under the protection of Iranian intelligence. They were identified as Baba Mahuzadeh Haji Jafan, known as Babak, and Mehmet Nadim Yigit, known as Nedim.
Mossad exposes Iran’s plot to infiltrate hit squads and assassinate Israeli leaders
Israeli intelligence says Iran’s Intelligence Ministry recruited foreign operatives through criminal proxies to gather intelligence and carry out a…https://t.co/GhJRKtokGJ pic.twitter.com/8yWwJe2L8z
— Ynet Global (@ynetnews) July 23, 2026
The Mossad also named four Iranian intelligence officers it said were behind the operation: Asadollah Behzad Oskhari, Vahid Masoumi, Mohammad-Hossein Zoghi and Hamid Ghasemi. Israeli officials said Oskhari, described as a central figure in plots against Israeli and Jewish targets, was killed during Israel’s 2025 campaign against Iran.
Philip has been expelled from France over his alleged involvement, while Babak and Nedim remain in Iran, according to Israeli officials.
The disclosure comes amid repeated Israeli warnings that Iran has expanded efforts to target Israeli and Jewish interests abroad and inside Israel through proxy networks, criminal groups and recruited civilians.
The Mossad and Shin Bet said they would continue working with international partners to disrupt Iranian terrorism and espionage operations.
Want more news from Israel?
Click Here to sign up for our FREE daily email updates
