Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu concluded a short while ago their joint press conference, ending the one-day visit of Lapid to Ankara. It was the first time in many years that an Israeli foreign minister made an official visit to the Turkish capital — a visit that highlighted the continuing rapprochement process between Ankara and Jerusalem. In March, Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Turkey, and Cavusoglu visited Israel at the end of May.

In his opening remarks, Lapid addressed publications earlier in the day that Turkish security services thwarted June 17 attempts by Iranian agents to kidnap a former Israeli ambassador and his wife, on a tourism visit to Istanbul. Reportedly, the Iranian cell targeted also other vacationing Israelis. The Mossad whisked the targeted Israelis out of the country and flew them back to Israel. Reports further said some 10 people were arrested last week in relation to the plot. The cell apparently split into four groups of two hit persons each. They were arrested in their hotel rooms while planning attacks. Turkish police also seized arms.

“In recent weeks, the lives of Israeli citizens have been saved thanks to security and diplomatic cooperation between Israel and Turkey. Just today it was published that Turkish intelligence recently foiled an Iranian plot in Istanbul. And these efforts are ongoing. We are full of appreciation for the Turkish government for this professional and coordinated activity,” said Lapid.

He then emphasized that intelligence showed without any doubts that Iran was behind the plot, stating, “We are confident that Turkey knows how to respond to the Iranians on this matter. For its part, Israel won’t sit idly by when there are attempts to harm its citizens in Israel and around the world. Our immediate goal is to bring about calm that will enable us to change the travel warning to Turkey.”