The United States and Israel accused Iran on Friday of attempting to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz-Neiger. Iran swiftly dismissed these allegations as a “big lie,” while the Mexican government stated it was unaware of any such plot.
Israel claimed that Mexican authorities intervened to thwart the assassination attempt. However, Mexico’s foreign ministry later clarified that it had “received no information” regarding the alleged incident. Without directly naming the US or Israel, Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection expressed its willingness for “respectful and coordinated cooperation” with all security agencies, emphasizing national sovereignty.
However, when questioned by Mexican media about the conflicting statements, Kranz-Neiger expressed her lack of understanding regarding Mexico’s denial. “Those who acted to neutralize this threat were the Mexican security and intelligence authorities,” she told Radio Formula.
Iran Denies Involvement
Iran’s embassy in Mexico condemned the allegations, asserting that the claims aim to damage the “friendly and historic relations” between Mexico and Iran. Historically, Mexico has maintained a non-interventionist stance in international affairs, taking a more cautious approach to the Gaza conflict compared to other leftist-led Latin American nations. While Mexico has supported investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes, it has also preserved diplomatic relations with Israel, established decades ago.
Moreover, a US official revealed that the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards initiated the plot in late 2024, which was disrupted this year. The alleged scheme involved recruiting operatives from Iran’s embassy in Venezuela, where President Nicolas Maduro maintains a tactical alliance with Tehran. The official, speaking anonymously, stated, “This is just the latest in a long history of Iran’s global lethal targeting of diplomats, journalists, dissidents, and anyone who disagrees with them.”
Escalating Violence in the Region
The alleged assassination plot follows a series of violent exchanges between Israel and Iran. In April 2024, Israel attacked the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus, killing several top Revolutionary Guards officers and prompting vows of revenge from Tehran. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel. A year later, Israel escalated its bombing campaign in Iran, resulting in over 1,000 casualties.
Iran’s cleric-run government has been a staunch supporter of Hamas, the militant group responsible for the unprecedented attack on Israel on October 2023. In response, Israel launched a relentless military campaign across the region, targeting Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Qatar, and Yemen.
Latin America has witnessed violence linked to Middle Eastern conflicts, including the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. Argentina and Israel attributed the attack to Hezbollah, allegedly at Iran’s behest. Despite the Iranian government’s hostility toward Israel, Iran remains home to a historic Jewish community.
