Greece cops and Mossad foiled an Iran-backed terror plot against Jews in Athens

The Greek police with the help of Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, has foiled a terror plot hatched by Iran against the Jewish community living in Athens. Two Pakistani nationals were arrested by the Greek police in the foiled terror plot. They were planning to target a synagogue in Athens. 

What do we know about the incident?

• Reportedly, two Pakistani nationals were recruited by a third terror operative suspected to be based in Iran. 
• The two men aged 27 and 29 years were planning to carry out an attack at a synagogue in Athens that also functioned as a restaurant. 

• The terrorists were reportedly planning to use a gas cylinder explosive after being unable to find firearms. 
• The Pakistani men were reportedly promised 15,000 euros for each dead person. 
• Reports said the men planned to carry out the attack during busy hours when at least 50 people were present. 
• The two Pakistanis were also observed by intelligence officers on February 15 and 16 and arrested as they did not have legal documents to stay in Greece. 

Greece's Minister of Citizen Protection, Takis Theodorikakos responding to the incident put out this statement on Facebook: 

Iran's overseas terror network and the role of Pakistanis:

• This is not the first time that a nexus between Pakistani nationals and Iran terror operatives has been uncovered. 
• In 2021, Pakistani nationals were arrested in Cyprus for planning an attack on Israeli businessman Teddy Sagi. 
• The Jerusalem Post reported that Greece has placed members of the Pakistani community on watch all over the country after several incidents of terror plots involving them were unraveled. 
• Iran has been expanding its terror network overseas in recent times. Not just in Greece, but terror plots targeting the Jewish community sponsored by Iranian controllers was also found in Germany. 
• Israel also warns its citizens that they may face Iran-sponsored attacks in countries like Greece, Turkey, Bahrain, Cyprus, the UAE, Georgia, and Azerbaijan.