Yair Netanyahu identified as PM's son who was target of Iranian assassination plot - report

Jerusalem Post/Israel NewsAccording to the source, Israeli intelligence learned of the plot targeting Yair in December 2025, believing that Iranian operatives were allegedly already "on the ground" in Miami.Follow us on GooglePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara tour in Tel Gezer and Magshimim Forest together with their sons Yair and Avner, during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, October 21, 2016(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFAUGUST 26, 2026 09:08Updated: AUGUST 26, 2026 09:26Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son, Yair, was the target of Iran's assassination attempt, Newsmax reported late on Tuesday, citing a US law enforcement source familiar with the matter.According to the source, Israeli intelligence learned of the plot targeting Yair in December 2025, believing that Iranian operatives were allegedly already "on the ground" in Miami conducting surveillance of the prime minister's son's residence and movements.Newsmax reported that Yair was told to leave Florida immediately, leading to his sudden return to Israel.Netanyahu revealed that one of his sons had been the target of an Iranian plot during a phone call with Channel 14's military correspondent Noam Amir, broadcast on Monday."This is an unbelievable case. Iran targeted one of my sons. Iran tried to murder him, tried to murder one of my sons," the PM stated to Amir, though at the time did not elaborate on whether Yair or Avner was the target of Iran's assassination attempt.Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu with family, Sara Avner (left) and Yair. (credit: AMOS BEN GERSHOM, GPO)"Is this part of the intelligence provided to you?" Amir asked."Iran tried to murder one of my sons. And this is why this promise [I am making] is more than a luxury - without it, they could succeed [in killing my son.] People need to show some restraint, especially during an election campaign," Netanyahu replied."I spoke with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief [David Zini] and asked him to provide appropriate security to any prime ministerial candidate," Netanyahu also said.In July, the Ministerial Committee for Shin Bet Affairs approved extended personal protection for Netanyahu's wife, Sara, and their sons, Yair and Avner.James Genn contributed to this report.Follow us on Google