Israel shares intelligence with US of Iran's 'new plot' to assassinate Trump: Report

Israel shares intelligence with US of Iran's 'new plot' to assassinate Trump: Report

Israel has shared intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran has devised a new, specific plan to assassinate President Donald Trump. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNN, the warning was conveyed this week, adding a new layer of tension as a ceasefire between the U.S. And Iran collapses.

While U.S. Intelligence agencies had already been monitoring a steady stream of information regarding possible plots against the president in recent weeks, sources told CNN that the Israeli tip was distinct because it concerned a specific plot. The U.S. Government has not yet vetted the information and was not tracking this particular plan prior to the Israeli warning.

President Trump declared on Wednesday that a Memorandum of Understanding and 60-day ceasefire with Iran was over. This follows a resumption of strikes between the two sides and military activity in the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing the threats during a news conference at the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026, Trump stated:

"They want to take out the U.S. leader — me. 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."

President Donald Trump, via Fox News Digital

The president later mentioned learning of a new list ranking him as Iran's top assassination target, though it remains unclear if he was referring specifically to the Israeli intelligence.

Security measures for the president were visibly heightened during his return from Turkey. Trump traveled to the summit on a new Qatari-donated palace in the sky aircraft but switched to a different Air Force One for the return flight. White House communications director Steven Cheung described the switch as a use of distraction and misdirection to address threats. During the flight, reporters were asked to close window blinds, and Trump suggested the flight was potentially dangerous.

Additionally, War Secretary Pete Hegseth was instructed not to travel to Israel as planned shortly before the president's plane switch, though it is not confirmed if the Iranian threat extended to him.

The intelligence warning emerges amid a reported rift between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two leaders have diverged on the future of the conflict: Netanyahu has advocated for continued military pressure on Tehran, whereas Trump has sought an exit to avoid destabilizing the global economy. The tension peaked on June 1, when Trump reportedly told Netanyahu he was f–king crazy over Israeli attacks in Lebanon. A U.S. Official summarized that Trump told the prime minister, You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.

Some U.S. Officials suggested the Israeli report might be an effort to influence Trump's decision-making regarding the intensity of American military action. Some in the U.S. Intelligence community expressed skepticism of the reporting, viewing it as part of a broader effort to sway the administration toward Israel's perspective.

The animosity from Tehran has been public. During funeral proceedings for late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in February, mourners chanted for Trump's death. One banner displayed at the ceremony read, We Will Kill Trump, while other crowds shouted, I swear by the blood of the Supreme Leader, Trump, we will kill you!

Iran's motivations are tied to long-standing grievances, specifically the January 2020 U.S. Strike that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Trump recently revealed that Israel had backed out of a plan to eliminate Soleimani in 2020, which forced the U.S. To carry out the strike.

Despite the friction, Netanyahu's office stated that the two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday and agreed to continue coordination. Trump also updated the Israeli leader on U.S. Activity in the Gulf. Netanyahu is expected to visit Washington soon for further talks.

While military preparations continued Thursday night—including fighter jets being armed on the USS Abraham Lincoln—officials stated that diplomatic efforts remain underway behind the scenes. Washington and Tehran are currently working toward a nuclear deal by mid-August.