Ahead of a Potential Iranian Retaliation, Israeli Officials Change Their Lifestyles
Israel has raised the security alert level surrounding its ministers and senior officials amid warnings of possible Iranian attempts to target prominent figures.
In this context, Yedioth Ahronoth reported that serving and former ministers, as well as senior officials, had received security warnings in recent days amid concerns that Iran could attempt to target prominent figures as part of its efforts to avenge the deaths of senior leaders in Tehran.
Against the backdrop of these warnings, the newspaper said that the Shin Bet had tightened security measures around Israeli officials, urging them to change their daily routines, avoid predictable patterns, and take additional precautions.
These security concerns also prompted exceptional measures during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to Washington.
The “Wing of Zion” aircraft carrying Netanyahu was therefore scheduled to depart from Nevatim Air Base rather than Ben Gurion Airport, while the departure time and flight route were kept secret for security reasons.
The New York Times reported on July 9 that the U.S. Secret Service had advised President Donald Trump to leave Turkey aboard the older presidential aircraft, Air Force One, rather than the refurbished plane.
According to officials familiar with the planning of the trip, the recommendation was made as a security precaution following the renewed fighting with Iran.
The Wall Street Journal later highlighted the decision, reporting that “the aircraft change came after senior U.S. officials received intelligence from Israel regarding a potential plot to assassinate Trump.”
However, some U.S. officials told the newspaper at the time that the threat had not been fully confirmed and expressed concerns “that Israel may have shared the information in an effort to influence U.S. decision-making and push Washington toward a broader military confrontation with Iran.”
The strikes carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran in late February resulted in the deaths of several prominent political and military figures, most notably Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, while uncertainty continues to surround the fate of his son, Mojtaba, who was appointed as his successor.
