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

Israeli authoritiesarrested a 22-year-old Haifa resident for his involvement in an Iranian-backed plot to assassinate a high-ranking Israeli official, with the intended target believed to be former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, reports say.

Ami Gaydarov, 22, was arrested last month on suspicion that he was working with an Iranian agent to gather intelligence and build a bomb for use in a terror plot against a high-ranking Israeli official.Gaydarov was unaware of the target’s identity.A gag order on his arrest was recently lifted, allowing Israeli media outlets to report on the case.

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Authorities said Gaydarov first made contact with his Iranian handler in August 2025 and was paid roughly $23,000 — most of it in cryptocurrency — to carry out tasks in preparation for theassassination plot.

Gaydarov allegedly rented an apartment in the city’s downtown area to serve as alaboratory for the bombs.

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

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“To facilitate the contacts with his handlers, Gaidarov purchased dedicated phones and rented an apartment in Haifa where he produced the explosive substance, while documenting his activities in videos and photos that were sent to his handler as proof of compliance,” the Israeli police force said.

In connection with the plot, Israeli authorities have also arrested three other suspects, including Sergey Leibman and Edward Shovtiuk.The fourth suspect has not been named.Authorities said indictments for the four suspects should occur in the “coming days.”

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with U.S.Vice President J.D.Vance at the Prime Minister’s Office on October 22, 2025, in Jerusalem, Israel.(Nathan Howard/Pool/Getty Images)

The terror plot was uncovered as part of Israel’s “Operation Roaring Lion,” a major military campaign launched against Iran on February 28, coinciding with the start of thewar with Iran.

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The arrest of the four men comes as Israeli authorities have won more than 40 indictments against more than 60 defendants working on behalf of the Iranian government.Just two months ago, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuordered that the citizenship of Israelis convicted of espionage for Iran be stripped of their citizenship.

Illustration shows a missile launch from Iran with the country’s flag in the background.(iStock)

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Since the outbreak of the war with Iran,pro-Iranian attackslinked to radical groups have been on the rise.Just last week, French officials reported that a pro-Iran group was behind a failed bomb plot on a Bank of America office in Paris.