Israel has reportedly provided the United States with intelligence regarding what it described as a new and “specific” Iranian plan to assassinate US President Donald Trump, according to reports by American media on Thursday.
The reported intelligence comes amid renewed military exchanges between the United States and Iran, which have heightened concerns over the possibility of a fresh escalation in tensions between the two countries.
According to CNN, Israeli officials shared intelligence with Washington this week indicating an alleged specific assassination plot targeting President Trump.
The report, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, stated that although US intelligence agencies had been monitoring what was described as “a steady drumbeat” of threats against the president, the latest information supplied by Israel was considered both new and more specific.
The Wall Street Journal also reported the development, citing anonymous sources who described the intelligence as detailing a “fresh” assassination plan allegedly linked to Iran.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate against Trump following the January 2020 killing of top Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani.
Soleimani, who headed the elite Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad International Airport during Trump’s first term in office.
Since then, Iranian officials have consistently declared that those responsible for the operation would face consequences.
Responding to enquiries about the reports, the White House did not directly confirm or deny the intelligence but instead referred to comments made by President Trump a day earlier.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning from the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump claimed he remained a target of the Iranian government.
“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,” Trump said.
The reports also coincided with renewed scrutiny over Trump’s travel arrangements during the NATO summit.
After concluding his engagements in Turkey, Trump departed aboard his older Air Force One aircraft instead of the newly acquired presidential jet donated by Qatar.
The newer aircraft reportedly flew ahead to the United Kingdom, where the president later switched planes before continuing his journey to Washington.
The unusual decision immediately sparked speculation regarding possible security concerns, particularly as the United States had carried out fresh military strikes against Iran, a neighbouring country to Turkey.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the aircraft change was made following recommendations from the US Secret Service as an additional security precaution.
The report suggested that concerns had been raised about the security readiness of the newly modified aircraft during its first overseas deployment.
However, when questioned during a press briefing, President Trump declined to directly address the security concerns surrounding the aircraft swap.
Instead, he referenced previous reports of alleged Iranian assassination plots targeting him, reinforcing his claim that Tehran continues to view him as a priority target.
The latest reports emerge at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with both countries exchanging military strikes in recent days, fuelling fears of a broader regional conflict.
