Authorities: Israeli Man Constructed Bomb Lab for Iranian Plot Targeting Ex-PM Bennett

(SeaPRwire) –   A 22-year-old resident of Haifa was detained by Israeli officials for participating in an Iranian-sponsored scheme to kill a senior Israeli figure, reportedly former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Ami Gaydarov, 22, was taken into custody last month under suspicion of collaborating with an Iranian operative to collect intelligence and construct an explosive device for a terrorist attack against a high-level official. While Gaydarov was reportedly oblivious to the target’s specific identity, a gag order on the case was recently rescinded, permitting local media to cover the story.

According to officials, Gaydarov initiated contact with his handler in Iran in August 2025. He allegedly received approximately $23,000, primarily in digital currency, to perform preparatory actions for the planned assassination.

It is alleged that Gaydarov leased a downtown apartment to function as a bomb-making facility.

“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 stated.

Three additional individuals, including Edward Shovtiuk and Sergey Leibman, were also apprehended in relation to the conspiracy. A fourth individual remains unidentified. Officials expect to file charges against all four suspects in the near future.

This plot was revealed during “Operation Roaring Lion,” an extensive military operation against Iran that began on February 28, marking the onset of the conflict with Iran.

These arrests occur as Israeli prosecutors have secured over 40 indictments against more than 60 individuals accused of acting for the Iranian regime. Two months prior, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directed that any Israeli citizens found guilty of spying for Iran should have their citizenship revoked.

Attacks by pro-Iranian radical groups have increased since the start of the war. Recently, French authorities disclosed that a group aligned with Iran was responsible for an unsuccessful bombing attempt at a Bank of America branch in Paris.