Israeli Intelligence Claims Iran's Plotting To Kill Trump, US Officials Skeptical

Israel shared intelligence with the United States alleging that Iran was developing a new plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, a report that coincided with the resumption of hostilities and U.S. strikes on Iran following Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

While the White House pointed to Trump’s claims that he is Iran’s "number one target," many U.S. officials doubted the new intelligence, viewing it as potentially unvetted and part of a broader Israeli effort to influence Trump’s decision-making regarding further military action.

The U.S. had not independently verified the specific plot, though it noted a steady flow of general threats against Trump in recent weeks.

The intelligence sharing occurs amid strained relations between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu has opposed Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Iran, arguing for continued military operations to ensure Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons, whereas Trump has sought to end the conflict due to economic concerns.

Iran has long vowed to retaliate against Trump for the 2020 drone strike that killed top general Qasem Soleimani, and mourners at the funeral of slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently chanted slogans calling for Trump’s death. He was killed, along with some of his family members, by US and Israeli strikes at the start of the war on February 28.

Tensions have escalated significantly recently, with a previously agreed-upon 60-day ceasefire now described by Trump as "over" after Iran attacked multiple vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, the U.S. launched strikes on dozens of sites across Iran, while Iranian forces retaliated with attacks on Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain.