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Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps plotted to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico, starting late last year, but the effort was contained and there is no current threat a U.S. official said on Friday.
The U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the plot against the ambassador, Einat Kranz Neiger, had been active through the first half of this year.
Israel says Mexico thwarted the attempt said to be part of Iran's revenge in the aftermath of the deadly 2024 Israeli bombing of Iranian embassy in Syria.
"The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat," the official told Reuters. "This is just the latest in a long history of Iran's global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence." The official declined to say how the plot was foiled or offer more details about the operation.
Israel's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, thanked the security and law enforcement services in Mexico for "thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran that sought to attack Israel's ambassador in Mexico."
“We are well aware of the history of Iran and its attacks in Latin America, and this is a good opportunity to thank the authorities and security services here in Mexico for their assistance in thwarting the attack against me,” stated Einat Kranz Neiger to Mexican media.
Mexico has backed an investigation into allegations of Israeli war crimes but has also maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, which were established decades ago and have been largely cordial.
The plot allegedly included recruiting operatives out of Iran's embassy in Venezuela, whose leftist president, Nicolas Maduro, has a tactical alliance with Tehran.
"This is just the latest in a long history of Iran's global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence," the US official said on condition of anonymity.
The official did not provide detailed evidence or say how the plot was contained.
The alleged plot would have taken place after Israel's April 1, 2024 attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, tSyria, hen a close ally of Tehran.
The attack killed several top Revolutionary Guards officers and prompted vows of revenge by Tehran, which fired missiles and drones against Israel.
A year later Israel carried out a much more extensive bombing campaign in Iran, which killed more than 1,000 people. The United States, Israel's main ally, joined by bombing key sites of Iran's contested nuclear program.
Iran's cleric-run state has been a critical supporter of Hamas, the armed Palestinian militant group in Gaza that carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel responded with a relentless campaign that has left most of Gaza in rubble with over 60,000 Palestinians killed and expanded its military offensive across the region, hitting Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar and Yemen. Hamas cease fire negotiators were targeted and killed while in Qatar.
Security services in Britain and Sweden warned last year that Tehran was using criminal proxies to carry out violent attacks in those countries, with London saying it had disrupted 20 Iran-linked plots since 2022.
A dozen other countries have condemned what they called a surge in assassination, kidnapping, and harassment plots by Iranian intelligence services.
In 2015, a man was shot dead in the Netherlands, he had been living in hiding for over two decades. The person who coordinated the hit from Iran was arrested in a Dublin safe house belonging to the Kinahans. It is also said that the Kinahans, having been sanctioned as well have been laundering drug money through Iranian banks.
Iranian assassination plots have also targeted American officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, following the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.
"The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat," the official told Reuters. "This is just the latest in a long history of Iran's global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence." The official declined to say how the plot was foiled or offer more details about the operation.
“We are well aware of the history of Iran and its attacks in Latin America, and this is a good opportunity to thank the authorities and security services here in Mexico for their assistance in thwarting the attack against me,” stated Einat Kranz Neiger to Mexican media.
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The Iranian Embassy in Mexico said the accusation was "entirely false," and "a great big lie." "We will never tarnish the good reputation of Mexicans, our friends. We consider betrayal of Mexico's interests as betrayal of our own interests, and respecting Mexico's laws is our highest priority," Mehr cited the embassy as saying.
The objective "is to damage the friendly and historic relations between both countries (Mexico and Iran), which we categorically reject," the Iranian Embassy in Mexico posted on X.
Mexico historically seeks non-intervention in international affairs and has taken a more cautious stance on the Gaza war than other leftist-led Latin American countries.
The objective "is to damage the friendly and historic relations between both countries (Mexico and Iran), which we categorically reject," the Iranian Embassy in Mexico posted on X.
Mexico historically seeks non-intervention in international affairs and has taken a more cautious stance on the Gaza war than other leftist-led Latin American countries.
Mexico has backed an investigation into allegations of Israeli war crimes but has also maintained diplomatic relations with Israel, which were established decades ago and have been largely cordial.
The United States and its allies have frequently alleged that Iran and its proxies have sought to launch violent attacks against Tehran's opponents. Iranian officials have rejected the allegations, saying they are politically motivated.
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| Iranian official Hassan Izadi. |
Possible Venezuelan Based Plot
A US official said the Revolutionary Guards' elite Quds Force initiated the plot in late 2024 and that it was disrupted this year. The planned attack was allegedly led by a man called Hassan Izadi.The plot allegedly included recruiting operatives out of Iran's embassy in Venezuela, whose leftist president, Nicolas Maduro, has a tactical alliance with Tehran.
"This is just the latest in a long history of Iran's global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents and anyone who disagrees with them, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence," the US official said on condition of anonymity.
The official did not provide detailed evidence or say how the plot was contained.
The alleged plot would have taken place after Israel's April 1, 2024 attack on the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, tSyria, hen a close ally of Tehran.
The attack killed several top Revolutionary Guards officers and prompted vows of revenge by Tehran, which fired missiles and drones against Israel.
A year later Israel carried out a much more extensive bombing campaign in Iran, which killed more than 1,000 people. The United States, Israel's main ally, joined by bombing key sites of Iran's contested nuclear program.
Iran's cleric-run state has been a critical supporter of Hamas, the armed Palestinian militant group in Gaza that carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israel responded with a relentless campaign that has left most of Gaza in rubble with over 60,000 Palestinians killed and expanded its military offensive across the region, hitting Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar and Yemen. Hamas cease fire negotiators were targeted and killed while in Qatar.
Iran's Recruitment of Criminal Groups
Last month, a federal judge in New York sentenced two alleged members of the Russian mob to 25 years in prison each for plotting to kill an Iranian expatriate and critic of Tehran, Masih Alinejad, on orders from the Iranian regime. The shooter had an AK-47 in the car when he was arrested and had been contracted by Rafat Amirov, known as "Rome," a known member of Russian organized crime from the Czech Republic.Security services in Britain and Sweden warned last year that Tehran was using criminal proxies to carry out violent attacks in those countries, with London saying it had disrupted 20 Iran-linked plots since 2022.
A dozen other countries have condemned what they called a surge in assassination, kidnapping, and harassment plots by Iranian intelligence services.
In 2015, a man was shot dead in the Netherlands, he had been living in hiding for over two decades. The person who coordinated the hit from Iran was arrested in a Dublin safe house belonging to the Kinahans. It is also said that the Kinahans, having been sanctioned as well have been laundering drug money through Iranian banks.
Iranian assassination plots have also targeted American officials, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, following the 2020 killing of IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani.
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As reported by Borderland Beat, from December 2020 through March 2021, Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29, conspired with each other in a plot to murder two residents of the state of Maryland.
Ryan, whose criminal history ranges from firearms trafficking charges to international drug trafficking, has ties to several criminal elements in Canada, the United States, and Greece. He is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle club, based in the BC area.
Ryan was the target of a wild 2015 murder attempt at the Vancouver Airport's food court, carried out by a teen disguised in a black burka. Would-be killer Knowah Ferguson was from Ontario, had no previous criminal record, and was promised $200,000 for the hit.
Zindashti associate Asan worked closely with Ryan to plan the assassinations, sending the location and photos of the targets, in addition to coordinating payment details. Ryan also recruited Canadian national and Hells Angels affiliate Adam Richard Pearson to carry out the murders.
Ryan and Pearson are currently incarcerated in Canada on unrelated offenses. Ryan is awaiting trial on drugs and weapons charges. Canadian authorities allege he was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation.
Ryan, whose criminal history ranges from firearms trafficking charges to international drug trafficking, has ties to several criminal elements in Canada, the United States, and Greece. He is a full-patch member of the Hells Angels outlaw motorcycle club, based in the BC area.
Ryan was the target of a wild 2015 murder attempt at the Vancouver Airport's food court, carried out by a teen disguised in a black burka. Would-be killer Knowah Ferguson was from Ontario, had no previous criminal record, and was promised $200,000 for the hit.
Zindashti associate Asan worked closely with Ryan to plan the assassinations, sending the location and photos of the targets, in addition to coordinating payment details. Ryan also recruited Canadian national and Hells Angels affiliate Adam Richard Pearson to carry out the murders.
Ryan and Pearson are currently incarcerated in Canada on unrelated offenses. Ryan is awaiting trial on drugs and weapons charges. Canadian authorities allege he was involved in an international drug-smuggling operation.
Jewish propaganda trying to start some BS for no reason.
ReplyDeleteExcellent article.
ReplyDeleteIran is insidious.
i dont think anyone is buying any claims coming from isreal
ReplyDeleteOff topic but what’s with all off these betting convictions and the apps are still running? Crazy stuff I must say, back to cartel stuff
ReplyDeleteBagals & bullets, why not?
ReplyDelete