TEL AVIV (Realist English). Israeli intelligence agencies have shared with the United States intelligence indicating that Iran has developed a new plot to assassinate President Donald Trump.
According to The Wall Street Journal and CNN, citing informed sources, the warning came this week and involved a “specific” and “new” plot against the US leader.
“They want to destroy the leader of America — me. I’m on every one of their lists. This morning I found myself on all of their lists,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One upon his return from the NATO summit in Turkey.
Revenge for Soleimani
Iran has for years openly threatened to take revenge on Donald Trump for the killing of General Qasem Soleimani — the commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Soleimani was eliminated in a US airstrike in January 2020 during Trump’s first presidential term.
Threats against the US president were also voiced during the recent multi‑day mourning ceremonies for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. Trump, commenting on the threats, said: “They are evil, sick people. We must eradicate this cancer.”
Intelligence Details and US Reaction
According to CNN, the US has in recent weeks been receiving a “steady stream” of intelligence about possible assassination attempts on Trump, but Israel’s warning was new and concerned a specific plot. Details of the alleged plot remain unclear.
US intelligence agencies have not yet independently verified the Israeli data and had not been tracking this particular threat before Israel shared the information.
The Israeli Factor: Influence on Washington’s Policy
Sources at CNN and The Wall Street Journal suggest that the intelligence transfer may be part of a broader strategy by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In their view, Israel is trying to influence Trump’s decision on escalating military action against Iran.
As The Wall Street Journal notes, Netanyahu continues to advocate for military action against the Islamic Republic, while Trump until recently preferred a diplomatic solution due to concerns over the economic consequences of escalation.
Two US officials told Israel’s Channel 12 that, in their view, Israel provided the information to improve relations between Netanyahu and Trump and to influence Washington’s policy toward Iran.
At the same time, the White House said it remains committed to the memorandum of understanding with Iran, despite Trump having declared the ceasefire regime “over.”
Security Measures: Switching Air Force One
Amid assassination fears, Trump unexpectedly left Turkey on an older Air Force One aircraft, rather than the newer one gifted by Qatar. According to The New York Times, this was done on the recommendation of the US Secret Service as a precautionary measure. Trump himself denied that the aircraft change was related to security threats.
Israel’s sharing of intelligence about Iran’s preparations to assassinate Trump comes amid the most acute escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran.
US intelligence agencies have not yet confirmed the information, and in Washington, some believe Netanyahu is trying to push Trump toward further escalation.
The US president, aware of the threats, has already taken unprecedented security measures. The coming days will show whether this intelligence becomes a trigger for a new round of confrontation or remains a tool of diplomatic pressure.
