U.S. officials revealed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plotted to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz Neiger, beginning in late 2024. According to a senior U.S. official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the plot remained active through the first half of 2025 but was successfully contained, and there is currently no ongoing threat.
“This is the latest example of Iran’s history of targeting diplomats, journalists, and dissidents across the globe,” the official said, emphasizing that such actions should concern all nations hosting Iranian operatives. The official did not disclose details about how the plan was disrupted or who was involved in foiling it.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to Mexican security and law enforcement authorities for their cooperation in preventing the alleged assassination attempt. “We thank the security services in Mexico for thwarting a terrorist network directed by Iran,” the ministry said in a statement.
Mexico’s government, however, stated later in the day that it had “no information regarding an alleged attack against the Israeli ambassador.” Meanwhile, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York declined to comment on the allegations.
The United States and its allies have repeatedly accused Iran of orchestrating or sponsoring violent attacks targeting opponents, critics, and foreign diplomats. Iran has consistently denied these claims, calling them politically motivated.
In recent years, Western intelligence agencies have reported an uptick in Iran-linked assassination and kidnapping attempts. British and Swedish authorities warned in 2024 that Tehran was employing criminal proxies for violent operations. MI5 chief Ken McCallum also stated that Iran was “frantically” working to silence critics abroad.
Israel remains a frequent target of Iranian hostility, particularly after joint Israeli and U.S. air operations struck Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.