Iran is not able to keep this from happening.  Cut the losses and go.  But their taking was very much the intent of the Regime.  “Hamas expected to release 33 hostages in first phase of emerging ceasefire deal, Israeli officials say,” CNN, 1-14-25.

“Israel exposes Iranian plot to lure businessman to UAE,” 1-14-25.  “An Israeli citizen received messages allegedly from a Saudi news channel on Telegram, reaching out to him so he would travel to the UAE • Attempts were made to send malware to his phone.  …  Iran’s malicious operations are “accelerating.” He said that the agents display creativity, disguising their intentions with “business talk or academia and conferences, or medical representatives – and the aim is to bring these Israelis to third countries where the Iranians have infrastructure to harm Israelis.”

“Iran ‘never’ plotted to kill Trump during campaign, Iran’s president tells NBC News,” NBC, 1-14-25.  Quote of the Day:  “Asked about the reported plot against Trump outlined by U.S. authorities, Pezeshkian said: “This is another one of those schemes that Israel and other countries are designing to promote Iranophobia. … Iran has never attempted to nor does it plan to assassinate anyone.”  Hmmm.