Israeli commander placed under security after Iran-backed plot

A commander in the Nevatim Air Base, a target of Iran’s recent missile barrage, has been placed under security after a plot to assassinate him was foiled by Israel.

An Israeli security source, speaking exclusively to Iran International on condition of anonymity, said: “That’s not a standard procedure for everyone, only those with a threat on them such as the chief of staff, the Air Force chief, but now they put security on him and his family as he was exposed.”

It was revealed that he was one of the targets of an Iran-backed cell of Azeri-Israelis, arrested last month after a years-long relationship with Iranian agents gathering intelligence on military sites, strategic targets, and key personnel.

“Usually these guys have a security assessment made on them, to also see how exposed the family is on the internet," explained the source, who works under strict security conditions.

Nevatim was one of the targets of last month’s almost 200 ballistic missile barrage, with multiple strike sites revealed from satellite imagery, including damage to the roof of a hangar.

“The commander is a very wanted target because Nevatim is in itself so strong a target for Iran. It’s not just fighters, it’s intelligence, it’s multi-disciplinary and a strategic base,” the source explained.

It is not the first time the Iranians have reportedly sought out figures for assassination in Israel’s security establishment. In September, plots were foiled on the highest profile targets to date; the prime minister, the head of internal intelligence agency Shin Bet, and the defense minister.

Last month, seven Azerbaijani immigrants to Israel were accused of working for Iran for two years, carrying out 600 operations, including sharing information on the air bases targeted in the ballistic missile barrage from Iran.

They were also accused of sharing information about Israel’s air defense system, the Iron Dome, and the Hadera power plant, sharing intelligence directly with Iran.

The cell, who lived in northern Israel, had been paid thousands of dollars, also in crypto, according to Israel’s Shin Bet.

Israel Police named the Jewish suspects as Aziz Nisanov, Alexander Sedikov, Vyacheslav Goshchin, Yevgeny Yufa, Yigal Nisan and two minors.

Israel Police said the investigation revealed that for over two years, "the suspects had been carrying out a series of different security missions for the Iranian intelligence agencies, under the direction of two agents from the Iranian intelligence”.

Other plots foiled by Israel in recent weeks by Iran-backed cells inside Israel include the assassination of a nuclear scientist.