Israeli man built bomb lab for Iranian plot targeting ex-PM Bennett, authorities say

Israeli authorities arrested a 22-year-old Haifa resident for his engagement successful an Iranian-backed crippled to assassinate a high-ranking Israeli official, pinch nan intended target believed to beryllium erstwhile Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, reports say.

Ami Gaydarov, 22, was arrested past period connected suspicion that he was moving pinch an Iranian supplier to stitchery intelligence and build a explosive for usage successful a panic crippled against a high-ranking Israeli official. Gaydarov was unaware of nan target's identity. A gag bid connected his apprehension was precocious lifted, allowing Israeli media outlets to study connected nan case.

Authorities said Gaydarov first made interaction pinch his Iranian handler successful August 2025 and was paid astir $23,000 — astir of it successful cryptocurrency — to transportation retired tasks successful mentation for nan assassination plot.

Gaydarov allegedly rented an flat successful nan city's downtown area to service arsenic a laboratory for nan bombs.

TOP IRANIAN OFFICIAL, COMMANDER KILLED IN STRIKE, ISRAEL DEFENSE MINISTER SAYS

Ami Gaydarov was arrested connected March 9 by Israeli authorities connected suspicion of moving pinch Iranian handlers to harm a high-ranking official. (Israeli Police)

"To facilitate nan contacts pinch his handlers, Gaidarov purchased dedicated phones and rented an flat successful Haifa wherever he produced nan explosive substance, while documenting his activities successful videos and photos that were sent to his handler arsenic impervious of compliance," nan Israeli constabulary unit said.

In relationship pinch nan plot, Israeli authorities person besides arrested 3 different suspects, including Sergey Leibman and Edward Shovtiuk. The 4th fishy has not been named. Authorities said indictments for nan 4 suspects should hap successful nan "coming days."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets pinch U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance astatine nan Prime Minister's Office connected October 22, 2025 successful Jerusalem, Israel. (Nathan Howard/Pool/Getty Images)

The panic crippled was uncovered arsenic portion of Israel's "Operation Roaring Lion," a awesome subject run launched against Iran connected February 28, coinciding pinch nan commencement of nan war pinch Iran.

The apprehension of nan 4 men comes arsenic Israeli authorities person won much than 40 indictments against much than 60 defendants moving connected behalf of nan Iranian government. Just 2 months ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered that nan citizenship of Israelis convicted of espionage for Iran beryllium stripped of their citizenship.

Illustration shows a rocket motorboat from Iran pinch nan country's emblem successful nan background. (iStock)

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Since nan outbreak of nan warfare pinch Iran, pro-Iranian attacks linked to extremist groups person been connected nan rise. Just past week, French officials reported that a pro-Iran group was down a grounded explosive crippled connected a Bank of America agency successful Paris.