Israel has claimed—based on intelligence—that Iran recently devised a new plan to assassinate US President Donald Trump. Two sources familiar with the matter disclosed this information to the US news outlet CNN. This intelligence claim by the Jewish state’s hardline Netanyahu government has added a new dimension to the tension between the two nations, coming at a time when a ceasefire agreement between them is at risk of collapse.
Two Israeli sources stated that this information surfaced this week. Another source noted that the US had been receiving continuous intelligence in recent weeks regarding potential plots to assassinate Trump; however, this specific claim from Israel was new.
Other US officials have suggested that this Israeli intelligence might be an attempt to influence Trump’s decision-making, as he is currently considering whether to intensify US military action against Iran.
Immediate details regarding the alleged assassination plot claimed by Israel were not available. Two sources familiar with the issue stated that the US had not independently verified this information. They had not even been tracking the matter prior to receiving the intelligence from Israel.
The US government has long warned that Iran might attempt to assassinate Trump in retaliation for the 2020 drone strike—ordered by Trump—that killed top Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
When asked for comment on this Israeli intelligence (first reported by The Wall Street Journal), the White House pointed to Trump’s recent remarks, in which he expressed concern that Iran might try to kill him.
Last Wednesday, Trump told reporters, “They want to take out a US leader—me. I’m on all their lists. I saw this morning that I’m on every one of their lists. And so far, I think I’ve been somewhat lucky. But maybe that won’t last long. These are evil, sick people.” “And we must root out this cancer. That cancer. You know what needs to be done, don’t you? Cancer must be cut out right at the start. And that is exactly what I believe.”
Later, Trump stated that he had recently learned of a new list identifying him as a top target for assassination by Iran. However, it remains unclear whether he was referring to claims based on new Israeli intelligence.
Many Iranians attending the funeral of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—who was killed on February 28 during the initial days of US and Israeli aggression—chanted slogans calling for Trump’s death.
Tensions between the US and Iran have escalated further in recent days. Iran has been launching retaliatory strikes in response to US attacks. Consequently, the 60-day ceasefire agreement aimed at ending hostilities has completely collapsed.
Two sources familiar with recent US intelligence reports claim that intelligence agencies are monitoring individuals who have discussed carrying out attacks, though no action has been taken yet.
The sources claim that Iran might target several current and former high-ranking officials. However, they also note that this Israeli report is viewed by some as part of a broader effort by the hawkish government of Benjamin Netanyahu to influence Trump’s decisions regarding Iran. Some within intelligence agencies remain consistently skeptical of Israeli intelligence reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—who faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for war crimes—has expressed deep skepticism regarding Trump’s diplomatic overtures toward Iran. Disagreements with Trump over Israel’s indiscriminate attacks in Lebanon had also complicated discussions between the two.
The two leaders spoke by phone yesterday, Thursday. The hawkish Netanyahu may soon visit Washington for talks with President Trump. Another US official stated yesterday, Thursday, that diplomatic talks with Iran are still continuing behind the scenes, despite the resumption of hostilities between the two sides and Trump’s declaration a day earlier that the ceasefire was “over.” Washington and Tehran are working towards reaching a nuclear agreement by mid-August.
Multiple officials reported that preparations for a potential strike had been made on Thursday night, should the need arise. However, for the sake of diplomacy, they refrained from launching an attack for the time being. Earlier on Thursday, crew members aboard the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln had loaded weapons onto fighter jets, and pilots conducted drills in anticipation of possible orders to strike.
The aircraft carrier’s commanding officer, Dan Keeler, told the thousands of crew members on board that the situation was heating up.
