Iran denies involvement in foiled plot to kill Israeli ambassador to Mexico, accusing Israel of ‘fabricating’ claims

Following the recent revelation of an Iranian-directed plot to assassinate Israel’s ambassador to Mexico, Ambassador Einat Kranz-Neiger, which was foiled by a coordinated effort between Mexican, American, and Israeli authorities, Iran has dismissed the report. 

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei told reporters during a recent press briefing that the news was part of a “scheme” against Iran. 

“Our embassy stated that we found this allegation so absurd and ridiculous that we did not even think it required an official response from the spokesperson,” Baqaei said during the briefing. “Efforts to destroy Iran’s friendly ties with other countries are among the schemes pursued by the Zionist regime. Therefore, the entire claim is fabricated. As you witnessed, both the Mexican Foreign Ministry and the country’s intelligence agencies issued statements dismissing the allegation altogether,” he continued. 

The foreign ministry spokesman said it was an attempt to change public opinion regarding Gaza. 

“One of the reasons is to take revenge on the Mexican public, which has openly voiced its protest against the genocide in Gaza in recent months,” Baqaei said. 

The Iranian plot, which was announced by the U.S. and Israeli officials, was immediately denied by Iran’s embassy to Mexico. 

"Iran categorically rejects these baseless allegations," the Iranian embassy said in a statement on Saturday, saying "we would never harm the good image of our Mexican friends. Betraying Mexico's interests would be like betraying our own. Respect for Mexican law remains our top priority.” 

The Mexican government also publicly denied any knowledge of the plot after the U.S. and Israeli announcements, with the country’s foreign relations and security ministries releasing a joint statement claiming they had “no report with respect to a supposed attempt against the ambassador of Israel in Mexico.” 

In a previous interview, Ambassador Kranz-Neiger said she did not know the Mexican government’s reasons for denying knowledge of the plot, saying, “Those who acted to neutralize this threat were the Mexican security and intelligence authorities.” 

Recently, the ambassador spoke with Ynet News, where she reiterated that the plot was real, and shared that she had had only partial knowledge of the details of the attempt before it was announced. 

“I didn’t know most of the details, and what I did know I can’t share,” Kranz-Neiger told Ynet. “It’s not easy. But I continued my routine and my regular activities, taking the necessary security measures. We have protection here, and I received all the support I needed to keep working.” 

A U.S. official told Reuters that Iran has a history of “targeting” people it disagrees with. 

“The plot was contained and does not pose a current threat,” the official said. “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, something that should deeply worry every country where there is an Iranian presence.” 

Ambassador Kranz-Neiger compared the Iranian plot to previous attacks on Israeli missions, such as the Israeli embassy in Buenas Aires in 1992. 

“They don’t spare any effort,” Kranz-Neiger told Ynet. “Apparently, they thought they had an opportunity they could carry out.”

The ambassador also said that the threat “won’t stop me. We have a job to do – and we’ll keep doing it.”