JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current visit to Washington has been conducted under exceptional security restrictions after senior Israeli officials, including a group of cabinet ministers, were briefed on intelligence indicating that Tehran is intensifying efforts to target senior Israeli leaders in an attempt to achieve a strategic victory.

According to a report by Yaron Avraham on Channel 12 News, Israel’s security establishment has warned the political leadership about growing Iranian assassination threats. As a result, the Shin Bet has significantly increased security around a number of senior Israeli officials.

In light of the threat, security officials recommended that Netanyahu’s flight to Washington depart in complete secrecy.

Netanyahu took off from Nevatim Airbase rather than Ben Gurion Airport. Journalists were not permitted to accompany him aboard the Wing of Zion government aircraft, the departure time was kept confidential, and the arrival time in Washington was not disclosed in advance.

The prime minister’s visit was planned from the outset under strict security and media restrictions. The Prime Minister’s Office announced that Netanyahu was traveling for an official visit at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump. On the day of departure, the flight schedule remained classified for security reasons, and no official landing time was released, although it was estimated that Netanyahu would arrive in Washington in the evening.

The atmosphere of secrecy also extended to the White House meeting. The meeting with Trump was initially scheduled to be closed to the media. However, a source close to the prime minister said that the arrangements could change, explaining that Netanyahu wanted the meeting to be documented publicly so that the relationship between the two leaders would be reflected both diplomatically and visually.