Israel alerts US to alleged new Iranian bid to kill Trump: Report

Israel has shared new intelligence with the United States that it says points to a fresh Iranian plot to assassinate US President Donald Trump, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

The alleged intelligence comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent military exchanges and longstanding Iranian vows to avenge the killing of General Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force. Soleimani was killed in a US drone strike ordered by Trump during his first term.

Israeli warning reportedly delivered this week

According to CNN, Israeli officials conveyed the warning to their US counterparts earlier this week. While US intelligence agencies had already been monitoring a steady flow of information suggesting potential threats against Trump, the Israeli assessment reportedly stood out because it referred to a specific alleged assassination plot.

Some US officials told CNN the Israeli intelligence could also be intended to shape Trump’s thinking as he weighs whether to escalate US military action against Iran.

Trump says he is ‘on every list’

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Turkey, on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged ongoing threats against his life.

“They want to take out the US leader—me,” he said. “I’m on every list. I saw this morning, I’m on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I’ve been a little bit lucky, but that maybe doesn’t last very long.”

Strains with Netanyahu over Iran

The reported intelligence surfaced as relations between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reportedly cooled over differences on how to deal with Iran.

Netanyahu has advocated continuing military operations to pursue additional strategic objectives, while Trump has favoured winding down the conflict, warning that a prolonged war could destabilise the global economy. The US helped broker a fragile ceasefire with Iran last month.

The two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday, according to Netanyahu’s office, which said they agreed to maintain close coordination. Trump also briefed the Israeli leader on recent US activities in the Gulf, the statement said.

Meanwhile, anti-Trump rhetoric has intensified in Iran. At the funeral of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, mourners chanted slogans calling for Trump’s death and displayed banners reading, “We Will Kill Trump.”

Earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal said Trump and Netanyahu remained in frequent contact during the initial phase of the Iran conflict, with the Israeli prime minister regularly sharing intelligence updates and discussing potential military targets.