Israel shared intelligence with US of Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, sources say
Intelligence Exchange Highlights Growing Tensions Between US, Iran
Israel shared intelligence with US of Iranian – As diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran face mounting pressure, new intelligence from Israel has emerged suggesting Tehran has formulated a fresh scheme to eliminate President Donald Trump. According to two individuals knowledgeable about the situation, this revelation adds complexity to an already strained ceasefire arrangement that was supposed to halt hostilities for sixty days.
Israeli Warning Reaches American Officials
One source indicated that Jerusalem delivered this particular alert during the current week, while another explained that American intelligence channels had been receiving consistent information over recent weeks regarding potential assassination attempts. However, the Israeli communication stood out because it addressed a concrete, specific operation rather than general threats. American officials privately acknowledged that this Israeli assessment might represent an attempt to shape Trump’s upcoming choices regarding possible escalation of military operations against Iran.
The specifics of the proposed Iranian plot remained somewhat unclear at the time of reporting. Two sources confirmed that American authorities had not independently verified the information nor had they been monitoring this particular threat prior to receiving the Israeli notification. This development builds upon longstanding American warnings that Iran might attempt to retaliate for the 2020 drone strike ordered by Trump, which resulted in the death of prominent Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
Trump’s Response and Public Comments
When questioned about the Israeli intelligence, which initially appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the White House directed attention toward Trump’s own recent statements regarding Iranian intentions. The President had addressed reporters on Wednesday with characteristic directness:
“They want to take out the US leader — me,” Trump told reporters Wednesday. “I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long. These are evil, sick people. And we have to root out that cancer. That cancer. You know what you do? You’ve got to cut out cancer early. And that’s the way I feel.”
Subsequently, Trump mentioned discovering a recently compiled ranking that placed him at the top of Iran’s assassination priorities. It remained uncertain whether this reference connected directly to the Israeli intelligence or represented separate information. Meanwhile, Iranian crowds had been vocal during funeral ceremonies for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who perished during the early stages of the ongoing conflict, with many calling for Trump’s death.
Broader Strategic Context
Relations between the United States and Iran have deteriorated considerably in recent days, characterized by reciprocal threats and military exchanges as the ceasefire framework crumbles. Two sources with knowledge of recent American intelligence assessments noted that multiple entities have been discussing potential attacks without yet executing them. One source emphasized that American agencies have expressed concern about Iran targeting various current and former senior American officials.
However, that same source characterized the Israeli report as part of a larger Israeli campaign to influence Trump’s decision-making process regarding Iran. Skepticism toward Israeli intelligence assessments persists within certain quarters of the American intelligence community, according to the source. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly questioned Trump’s diplomatic approach toward Iran and has had disagreements with the President concerning Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which complicated broader negotiations.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue Amid Military Readiness
The two leaders communicated by telephone on Thursday, and Netanyahu is anticipated to travel to Washington shortly for discussions with the President. On the same day, another American official confirmed that diplomatic channels remained active despite renewed strikes between the two nations and Trump’s earlier declaration that the Memorandum of Understanding with Iran had concluded.
Washington and Tehran continue working toward establishing a nuclear agreement by mid-August. Several officials indicated that preparations for potential military strikes were ready for Thursday night, though authorities chose to prioritize diplomatic solutions. Earlier that day aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, naval crews equipped fighter jets with weapons while pilots conducted readiness exercises in case strike missions became necessary.
The aircraft carrier’s commanding officer, Dan Keeler, informed thousands of crew members that conditions were intensifying. Throughout the day and night, fighter pilots maintained routine defensive operations with continuous flight operations. This developing story has been updated. CNN’s Zachary Cohen contributed to this report.
