Mossad Foils Iranian Assassin's Plot in Cyprus, Israeli Businessman Saved

In a dramatic operation, the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, claims to have successfully intercepted an Iranian assassin planning an attack on an Israeli businessman in Cyprus. The alleged assassin, identified as Yousef Shahabazi Abbasalilu, a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, was apprehended by Mossad agents. Israeli media reports indicate that Abbasalilu was also planning to bomb a Chabad House, an Orthodox Jewish cultural center, in Cyprus.

The apprehended assassin was captured on video confessing to his role in the plot. He revealed that he received his instructions from Hassan Shoushtari Zadeh, a senior figure in the Revolutionary Guard's intelligence division. Abbasalilu admitted to receiving the target's information via WhatsApp from the intelligence organization of the Revolutionary Guard. He had reportedly received a firearm and conducted surveillance on the target's residence in Cyprus. However, he was warned by Shoushtari Zadeh that the authorities were onto him, leading to his departure from Cyprus.

The Israeli government has expressed gratitude to Cypriot officials for their assistance in foiling the plot. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's office issued a statement emphasizing Israel's commitment to combating Iranian terrorism and protecting Jewish individuals and Israelis worldwide, even on Iranian soil. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have dismissed the Israeli account, citing inconsistencies in the video and suggesting that Mossad's claims are an attempt to divert attention from a failed operation within Iran last year.

Cyprus newspapers have reported that a Revolutionary Guard operative had established contact with agents in the northern part of the island. However, a joint operation between Israeli and Cypriot authorities thwarted the planned attacks on Jewish targets in Limassol, a popular tourist destination located in the southern region of the island. While the main perpetrator managed to evade capture, his identity is known, and arrests related to the plot have been made in Cyprus.

This incident is not the first time such a conspiracy has been foiled in Cyprus. Two years ago, a similar plot involving an alleged assassin with an Azerbaijani passport was disrupted, and the target was said to be Israeli billionaire Teddy Sagi, owner of Camden Market in London. However, the specific target of the recent foiled plot remains unclear.

The alleged involvement of Pakistanis in the Cyprus plot is not surprising, given recent developments. In March, Greek authorities arrested two Pakistani men who were planning an attack on a Chabad House in Athens. The main handler, identified as Mohammad Mohsen Reza, a 65-year-old Pakistani residing in Qom, was reportedly linked to the Iranian operations abroad. Iran often employs non-Iranian nationals to carry out its operations internationally in order to maintain plausible deniability.

While the Mossad operation within Iran remains shrouded in secrecy, this recent incident highlights the ongoing covert battle between Israel and Iran. As tensions persist in the region, both nations continue to engage in clandestine activities to protect their interests and combat perceived threats.