Fresh Assassination Plot Against Trump Raises Tensions as Israel Shares Intelligence With US

Fresh intelligence reportedly shared by Israel with the United States has heightened security concerns around President Donald Trump, amid escalating hostilities between Washington and Tehran and growing fears of a return to full-scale conflict in the Middle East.

According to multiple US media reports on Thursday, Israel alerted US officials to a new and “specific” Iranian plot to assassinate President Trump. The intelligence reportedly came at a time when the United States and Iran have renewed military exchanges, intensifying regional tensions.

CNN, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter, reported that US intelligence agencies had been tracking “a steady drumbeat” of information regarding possible assassination plans targeting Trump.

However, the report noted that the latest warning from Israel was unprecedented because it involved “a specific plot.”

Similarly, The Wall Street Journal, quoting unidentified sources, said the intelligence pointed to a “fresh” assassination plan allegedly linked to Iran.

The reports have further fueled concerns over Trump’s security, particularly given Tehran’s longstanding pledge to avenge the killing of Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani.

Soleimani was assassinated in a US drone strike ordered by Trump in January 2020 during his first term in office, an action that dramatically escalated tensions between the two countries.

When contacted by AFP for comments on the reports, the White House referred to remarks made by President Trump during his return flight from the NATO summit.

“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,“ President Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Adding to the intrigue surrounding the reports was Trump’s unusual travel arrangement after the NATO summit in Turkey. Rather than remaining aboard the new Air Force One gifted by Qatar for the entire journey, Trump departed Turkey using his older presidential aircraft while the newer jet flew ahead to Britain, where he later switched planes before continuing to Washington.

The unexpected aircraft change sparked widespread speculation that the newer plane’s security systems may not yet be fully equipped to handle heightened threats, particularly as the United States launched fresh military strikes against Iran, a country bordering Turkey.

According to The New York Times, the aircraft switch was carried out at the request of the US Secret Service “as a security precaution.”

During a subsequent press conference, Trump declined to directly address questions about the security measures surrounding his travel but referenced previous alleged assassination threats linked to Iran, reinforcing concerns over what officials describe as an increasingly volatile security environment.

The latest intelligence reports are expected to further strain already fragile relations between Washington and Tehran, as both nations remain on high alert amid fears that the renewed cycle of attacks could spiral into a broader regional conflict.