Israel shared intelligence with US on new Iranian plot to assassinate Trump
US media reported on Thursday that Israel shared intelligence with the United States this week about a new and “concrete” Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to LRT.
The reports emerged amid growing concerns over a potential large-scale conflict between the US and Iran, following recent mutual strikes. They also coincide with Trump’s unexpected departure from Turkey aboard an older presidential aircraft after the NATO summit in Ankara, while his new plane, a gift from Qatar, was sent ahead to the UK.
CNN, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported that Washington had been monitoring a steady stream of intelligence about potential plots to assassinate Trump, but that Israel’s warning was new and linked to a specific conspiracy. The Wall Street Journal, also citing unnamed sources, mentioned a “new” plot in the intelligence shared.
Tehran has repeatedly threatened retaliation against Trump for the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani during his first term.
When asked by AFP to comment on the reports, an unnamed White House official referred to Trump’s own remarks on Tuesday. “They want to take out the leader of the United States—me. I’m on some list. I saw today that I’m on all their lists,” Trump told reporters aboard the presidential plane on his way home from the NATO summit.
Trump left Turkey, where the summit was held, on his old presidential aircraft, while his new plane was sent ahead to the UK, where he boarded it to continue his journey to Washington. This decision sparked speculation that the new plane may have lacked adequate security measures, particularly given the recent US strikes on Iran, which borders Turkey.
The New York Times reported on Tuesday evening that the planes were swapped at the request of the US Secret Service for “security reasons.”
At a press conference, Trump avoided direct answers about his security but alluded to previous alleged Iranian attempts on his life.