Greece Uncovers Terrorist Plot; Israel Points Finger at Iran

Greek authorities say they have arrested two men accused of planning an attack on a Jewish restaurant in Athens, a case which Israel said was orchestrated from Iran.

Greece’s anti-terrorist agency launched the operation that led to the arrests on information gathered by the country's intelligence service, police said on March 28.

The statement said the arrests had helped "dismantle a terrorist network" that was being managed from abroad.

An unidentified police official said the two men were Pakistani nationals and that their target was an Israeli restaurant in Athens.

The semi-official Athens News Agency cited police officials as saying the pair was receiving orders from Pakistani nationals in Iran.

Israel's intelligence service Mossad said it had assisted in the investigation, which it said “exposed that the operation in Greece was part of a vast Iranian network, operated from Iran across many countries.”

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the probe had “revealed that the infrastructure that operated in Greece is part of an extensive Iranian network run from Iran and spanning many countries.”

Iranian officials did not immediately comment on the allegations.

Greek police said the group was planning to attack a building of "special significance" in Greece and was looking for people who could help them carry out their project.

"They were aiming at human loss and wanted to undermine security in Greece and hurt its foreign relations," the statement said.