Israel shared intelligence with the United States this week about a new and “specific” plan by Iran to assassinate President Donald Trump, US media reported Thursday.
The reports emerged amid renewed US and Iranian attacks that have heightened fears of a broader conflict, and following Trump’s unusual decision to depart Turkey on an older aircraft after the NATO summit in Ankara.
Washington has been tracking “a steady drumbeat” of intelligence regarding possible attempts on Trump’s life, but the warning from Israel was fresh and described a particular plot, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The Wall Street Journal, also relying on undisclosed sources, said the intelligence pointed to a “new” assassination scheme.
Tehran has long threatened retaliation against Trump for ordering the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani in January 2020 during his first term in office.
When AFP reached out to the White House for comment, an unidentified official referenced remarks Trump made earlier in the week.
“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 told reporters aboard Air Force One while flying home from a NATO summit.
Trump left Turkey on his historic Air Force One plane, sending his newly acquired Qatar‑gifted jet ahead to Britain, where he changed aircraft for the final leg to Washington.
The decision to bypass the new jet on its debut foreign trip sparked speculation that its security features were insufficient, especially as the US had just conducted fresh strikes against Iran, a neighboring country.
The New York Times reported late Wednesday that the switch was requested by the US Secret Service “as a security precaution.”
During a press conference, Trump avoided direct questions about his safety but alluded to past alleged Iranian attempts on his life.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
