Netanyahu claims Iran tried to assassinate one of his sons

During an August 24, 2026 interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Iran tried to assassinate one of his sons, though he provided no details. The claim emerged amid controversy over the Shin Bet security agency's refusal to protect Netanyahu's election rival, Gadi Eisenkot, ahead of the October 27, 2026 vote. Tensions remain high following the February 2026 US-Israeli strike that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose successor has vowed revenge.

Netanyahu assassination claim

• ▪Shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's remarks on August 24, 2026, Israeli journalist Amit Segal stated on Telegram that the alleged assassination attempt had been known for months but was subject to a gag order.
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not provide specific details regarding when the alleged Iranian assassination plot occurred, which of his two sons was targeted, or how close it came to execution.
• ▪During a phone interview with Israel's Channel 14 on August 24, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Iran had targeted and tried to assassinate one of his sons.
• ▪Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assassination claims.

US-Israeli war on Iran

• ▪Following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his son Mojtaba Khamenei was named the new supreme leader and pledged to avenge his father's death.
• ▪A joint United States and Israeli war on Iran began in February 2026, marked by a strike on Tehran that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and four of his family members.

Israeli election context

• ▪Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, whose party is projected to win the largest number of seats, is running neck and neck with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the October 27, 2026 election.
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition was trailing in opinion polls ahead of the Israeli general election scheduled for October 27, 2026.

Security protection controversy

• ▪Shin Bet security agency chief David Zini declined to provide security for Gadi Eisenkot, telling the election authority there was no active plot to harm the candidate.
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's elder son, Yair Netanyahu, has lived in Miami since early 2024 under taxpayer-funded Shin Bet protection, drawing controversy in Israel over security costs.
• ▪Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the assassination claim during a discussion about reports that the Shin Bet domestic security agency had declined to provide a security detail for political rival Gadi Eisenkot.
• ▪In July 2026, Israeli authorities granted extended personal protection to both of Benjamin Netanyahu's sons and his wife, Sara Netanyahu.

9 sources