Netanyahu claims Iran plotted to assassinate his son

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on August 24, 2026, during an interview with Channel 14, that Iranian operatives attempted to assassinate one of his sons. While Netanyahu did not provide specific details during his interview, media reports, including those from Newsmax and Ynet, indicate the plot specifically targeted his 35-year-old son, Yair Netanyahu, who was living in Hallandale Beach, near Miami, Florida.

According to these reports, Israeli intelligence identified an Iranian cell monitoring Yair's residence and daily routines in December. Following the discovery of the threat, Israeli authorities alerted their American counterparts, leading to the secure and urgent return of the younger Netanyahu to Israel. The Prime Minister cited this incident as justification for a controversial agreement with the Shin Bet security agency, which ensures state-funded protection for his wife, Sara, and their two sons for at least five years, regardless of his political status.

Netanyahu used this disclosure to emphasize the necessity of security for high-profile figures and their families, urging restraint during the ongoing election period. He also stated that he instructed the head of the Security Agency, David Zini, to prioritize the protection of all candidates for prime minister, following reports that security teams had been denied to other officials like Gadi Eizenkot.