Israel warns US of Iran plot to assassinate Donald Trump, reports say

Israel has shared intelligence with the United States about a new and specific plot by Iran to assassinate former President Donald Trump, according to US media reports. The disclosure comes amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, raising concerns about a potential return to full-scale conflict. Reports surfaced Thursday, detailing the alleged plot while tensions remain high following recent US and Iranian strikes.

CNN cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, stating that US officials have been monitoring a steady stream of intelligence about possible assassination plans targeting Trump. However, the warning from Israel was described as new and focused on a specific threat. The Wall Street Journal, also relying on unidentified sources, referred to the intelligence as describing a fresh plot against the former US president.

Tensions between the US and Iran have persisted since Trump ordered the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a prominent figure in the Islamic Republic. Iran has repeatedly vowed retaliation against Trump for this action, which occurred during his first term in office. The latest reports suggest that Tehran continues to pursue such plans despite shifts in US leadership.

When contacted by AFP, a White House official declined to comment directly on the reports but pointed to Trump’s remarks from Wednesday. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned from the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump said, “They want to take out the US leader—me. I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists.”

The former president’s use of an older Air Force One plane to depart from Turkey added to the intrigue. Trump’s new jet, a gift from Qatar, was sent ahead to Britain while he switched to the older aircraft for the trip to Washington. Speculation arose that the decision might have been due to concerns over the new plane’s security features, particularly as the US launched fresh strikes against Iran.

The New York Times reported late Wednesday that the change was made at the request of the US Secret Service as a security precaution. During a press conference, Trump avoided directly addressing safety concerns but acknowledged previous alleged assassination attempts linked to Iran.

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