Israel’s Netanyahu claims Iran tried to kill one of his sons

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alleged that Iran attempted to assassinate one of his sons, though he did not disclose specific details regarding the timing, location, or which son was targeted. His claim emerged as his coalition struggled in opinion polls leading up to the October general election, following the United States and Israel's military campaign against Iran.

This conflict commenced with a joint US-Israeli assault on Tehran, resulting in the demise of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and four of his relatives, including his daughter Boshra and her 14-month-old granddaughter Zahra.

Netanyahu disclosed the alleged Iranian plot against his son during a conversation with Channel 14, a conservative Israeli news organization that tends to favor his administration. "This is an unbelievable case. Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to murder him, tried to murder one of my sons," Netanyahu stated. He expressed his support for providing round-the-clock security to Gadi Eisenkot, a former army chief who is in a tight race with Netanyahu to become the next prime minister prior to the elections.

Netanyahu advocated for continuous protection for Eisenkot, emphasizing that it was not an indulgence. "Without that, [the Iranians] will succeed," he remarked.

Netanyahu has two sons and a daughter. Both of his sons, as well as his wife, were granted extended personal protection by Israeli authorities in July, according to The Jerusalem Post. His elder son, Yair, 35, has been residing in Miami, Florida, for extended periods since early 2024, causing controversy in Israel due to the financial burden of protecting him.

Iran has vowed retaliation for the assassinations of Khamenei and his family. Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, was appointed as the new supreme leader a week after his father's passing. Despite his appointment, Mojtaba Khamenei has not been seen in public. He issued a statement on the occasion of the funeral ceremonies for his father, pledging to "avenge the blood" of his late predecessor.