Lapid

The Iranian hitmen, who were preparing to implement a plan to attack and kidnap Israeli diplomats and tourists, have made target practice in hotel rooms, Istanbul police have found out.

The police teams revealed the reconnaissance footage of the Iranian assassination team, which was determined to be preparing to assassinate Israeli citizens in Istanbul.

U.S. President Joe Biden will hold bilateral talks on July 14 with Israeli officials in Jerusalem, where the two allies are expected to declare a "united stand" on common foe Iran.

Biden touched down in Tel Aviv on Wednesday for the first Middle East tour of his presidency, which will see him meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders before flying onwards to Saudi Arabia.

Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and police busted the Iranian intelligence service SAVAMA in Istanbul on June 17.

They were allegedly preparing to kidnap and attack Israeli diplomats and tourist groups in Istanbul.

They have determined that the shooters who planned to take part in the attacks were in Istanbul.

Türkiye and Israel have decided to start works for upgrading the level of mutual diplomatic representation by appointing ambassadors in a most concrete step of the joint efforts to normalize the bilateral ties.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid will visit Türkiye next week, his office said on June, days after he urged Israelis to leave that country over threats of attacks by Iranian operatives.

A view of Istanbul. Photo: Pixabay/Sulox32

"We call on Israelis not to fly to Istanbul, and if it is not necessary, do not fly to Turkey," he added. "If you are already in Istanbul, return to Israel as soon as possible… If you planned a flight to Istanbul, cancel … No vacation is worth your life." Lapid told the Israeli parliament.

Turkey and Israel have decided to continue their bid to normalize their relationship through dialogue and technical contacts, particularly in the areas of economy and trade, the two countries' foreign ministers have said, adding a new framework is agreed to be established for the future of the bilateral ties.

Ljubljana – Foreign Minister Anže Logar will pay a visit to Israel on Monday to meet his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid. On Tuesday he will be in Palestine to meet Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

Israel's top diplomat Yair Lapid on June 29 began the first-ever official visit by an Israeli minister to the United Arab Emirates, after the two nations normalized ties in September.