Cyprus Foils Iran-Linked Terrorist Attack On Israelis
Cyprus has thwarted a terrorist attack aimed at killing citizens of Jewish origin on its territory, according to local media.
The perpetrators were reportedly linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) intelligence services.
Coordinated action between US, Israeli and local intelligence services are said to have been going on behind the scenes.
In the past, Israel and Cyprus have worked together to foil Iranian attacks on Israelis. Two years ago, an Azeri national with a Russian passport, who was acting on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, was arrested by Cypriot intelligence services. The hitman was hired to kill an Israeli businessman.
During the last few months, Cyprus' intelligence has closely monitored potential threats, according to the report. It is believed the network arrived in Cyprus via the Turkish occupied north.
Earlier this year, the IRGC accused Israel of assassinating its military adviser Milad Haydari with an airstrike in Syria, vowing to retaliate.
Last June Turkish security forces arrested Iranians suspected of planning terrorist attacks against Israelis. According to the suspects, they were working for an Iranian intelligence cell that planned to kidnap and kill Israeli diplomats and tourists.
Iran has been implicated in many assassinations, kidnappings and terror attacks abroad against dissidents and opponents.
