Israel names target of thwarted Iranian attack in Georgia

Israeli businessman Itsik Moshe was the target of the thwarted Iranian attack in Georgia, Israeli security sources said, Report informs citing i24NEWS.

Led by Iran, a Pakistani team affiliated with Al Qaeda traveled to Georgia's capital city of Tbilisi to gather intelligence and prepare for the attack but were arrested by Georgian security forces.

Authorities said the suspects gathered "extensive intelligence on the target for assassination and reached a high level of readiness for execution."

The uncovered cell has been operating since 2011 and led by an Iranian citizen identified as Mohammad Reza Ebadi Arablu, a veteran of the Quds Force, one of five branches of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Israel's ambassador to Georgia, Hadas Meitzad, thanked Georgian special services and government for thwarting the assassination attempt.

"We once again witnessed that Iran continues its attempts to commit terrorist acts not only in the Middle East but all over the world, and now here in peaceful Georgia," she said.