Israel Warns US of Potential Iranian Threat Against Trump
Intelligence Shared on Iranian Threat
Recent intelligence shared by Israel with the United States suggests a renewed Iranian scheme to assassinate former President Donald Trump, as reported by sources familiar with the situation. If validated, this intelligence could significantly heighten the already tense relations between Washington and Tehran amidst ongoing conflicts. Iran has long expressed intentions to avenge the 2020 assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, a high-ranking official in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during Trump's presidency.
The Israeli embassy in Washington refrained from commenting on these claims, while Iran's UN mission did not respond to inquiries. In a statement made to reporters in Ankara, Turkey, Trump remarked, "They want to take out the US leader — me. I'm on every list. I saw this morning, I'm on every single one of their lists. So far, I guess I've been a little bit lucky, but that may not last long."
This report emerges amid increasing discord between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding strategies to address the Iranian situation. Netanyahu has advocated for ongoing military actions against Iran to achieve further objectives, while Trump has expressed a desire to de-escalate the conflict, fearing that a prolonged war could adversely affect the global economy. Last month, the US managed to establish a fragile ceasefire with Iran.
On Thursday, Trump and Netanyahu had a phone conversation, during which they reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining coordination between their nations. The Israeli Prime Minister's office indicated that Trump updated Netanyahu on recent US operations in the Gulf region. Additionally, reports indicated that mourners at the funeral of Iran's deceased Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, were heard chanting threats against Trump, including a banner that read: "We Will Kill Trump." The Wall Street Journal noted that while Trump and Netanyahu have maintained communication, their relationship has recently experienced some strain.