Israel Reportedly Warned US of a “Specific” Iranian Plot to Kill Trump

A newly reported Iranian plot to kill Trump has added a volatile new dimension to already escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran. According to several US media outlets citing Israeli intelligence, Iran devised a fresh and “specific” plan to assassinate President Donald Trump. The reports have also fueled speculation that the threat may explain Trump’s unusual decision to switch planes when leaving the NATO summit in Turkey earlier this week.

What the Reports Say

Israel shared intelligence with the United States this week describing a new plan by Iran to assassinate Trump, according to reporting from CNN and the Wall Street Journal, each citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

CNN reported that Washington has been monitoring what one source described as a steady drumbeat of intelligence in recent weeks about possible plans to target Trump. However, the warning from Israel was characterized as new and tied to a specific plot. The Wall Street Journal, which first broke the story, similarly described the intelligence as pointing to a fresh threat.

Important Caveats

While the reports are striking, they come with significant qualifications that are worth keeping in mind.

According to sources cited by CNN, the precise details of the alleged plot were not immediately clear. Notably, two sources familiar with the matter said the US had not independently vetted the intelligence and was not tracking this particular plot before the Israeli warning arrived.

Perhaps most importantly, some American officials suggested the Israeli report could be part of a broader effort to influence Trump’s decision-making as he weighs whether to intensify US military action against Iran. One source noted that elements of the intelligence community are often skeptical of Israeli reporting. This skepticism is set against a backdrop of strained relations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump, with Netanyahu having voiced doubts about Trump’s diplomatic overtures toward Iran and the two having clashed over Israeli military action in Lebanon.

A Long-Standing Threat

The alleged plot fits into a pattern of hostility that stretches back years. Tehran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate against Trump for ordering the January 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian general Qassem Soleimani during his first term.

US intelligence agencies have long warned that Iran might attempt to kill Trump in revenge for that strike. According to sources, the intelligence community is currently tracking several actors who have discussed attacks but have not acted on them, and there has been ongoing concern that Iran could target a number of current and former senior officials.

The White House and Trump’s Own Words

When asked about the reports, the White House pointed to Trump’s own recent comments. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew home from the NATO summit, Trump said Iran wants to “take out the US leader,” referring to himself, and claimed he was on every one of their lists.

He later said he had recently learned of a new list ranking him as Iran’s top assassination target, though it was not clear whether he was referring to the Israeli intelligence specifically. Trump described those behind the threats in harsh terms and framed the danger in stark language, while acknowledging he had so far been fortunate.

The Air Force One Switch

The reports have drawn particular attention because of a puzzling logistical decision. Trump used his older Air Force One to depart Turkey, where the summit was held, sending his newer, Qatari-gifted jet ahead to Britain, where he switched planes for the journey to Washington.

The move was notable because it took the new aircraft off what would have been its maiden foreign trip. That sparked speculation the switch was made because the new jet’s security features were lacking, a concern heightened by the fact that the US had launched fresh strikes against Iran, which borders Turkey. The New York Times reported that the switch was made at the request of the US Secret Service as a security precaution. In a press conference, Trump sidestepped direct safety questions but alluded to previous alleged assassination attempts by Iran.

A Backdrop of Renewed Conflict

The intelligence reports surfaced amid a dangerous resurgence of hostilities. Renewed US and Iranian attacks have raised fears of a return to all-out war, with a 60-day ceasefire between the two countries now in tatters as both sides trade threats and strikes.

The tensions have been further inflamed by recent events in Iran. Over the weekend, during funeral proceedings for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, crowds of Iranians called for revenge against Trump over his role in the conflict.

Despite the escalation, diplomatic channels reportedly remain open. One US official said behind-the-scenes efforts with Iran were still underway, even after Trump declared the memorandum of understanding with Tehran “over.” The two nations are said to be working toward a nuclear deal by mid-August, and while preparations had been made for potential strikes, officials indicated they were holding off in favor of diplomacy.

The Bottom Line

The reported Iranian plot to kill Trump underscores just how combustible the current standoff between the US and Iran has become. Yet the intelligence remains unverified by American agencies, and some officials caution that it may be shaped by Israel’s own strategic interests. As Washington and Tehran continue to trade blows while quietly pursuing a nuclear agreement, this latest development highlights both the genuine dangers and the murky, contested nature of the intelligence driving decisions on all sides.