Israel has reportedly passed intelligence to the United States about what officials described as a new and specific Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump.
According to US media reports on Thursday, the intelligence emerged as renewed military exchanges between Washington and Tehran heightened concerns that the conflict could spiral back into full-scale war.
CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that US intelligence agencies had been tracking a steady stream of threats against Trump, but said the information received from Israel this week pointed to a specific assassination plan.
The Wall Street Journal also reported, quoting unnamed sources, that the Israeli intelligence referred to a “fresh” plot targeting the US president.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate against Trump over the January 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated in a US drone strike ordered during Trump’s first term in office.
Responding to the reports, a White House official referred journalists to Trump’s comments made on Wednesday aboard Air Force One.
“They want to take out the US leader me. I’m on whatever list. I saw this morning I’m on every single one of their lists,” Trump said.
The reports also came after Trump made an unusual aircraft change during his return from the NATO summit in Turkey.
Instead of flying home on the new Qatari-donated Air Force One throughout the journey, Trump departed Turkey aboard his older presidential aircraft while the new jet flew ahead to Britain, where he later switched planes before continuing to Washington.
The unexpected move fuelled speculation that security concerns prompted the decision, particularly as the United States launched another round of strikes against Iran.
According to The New York Times, the aircraft swap was requested by the US Secret Service as a precautionary security measure.
Asked about the decision during a press conference, Trump avoided directly addressing security concerns but referenced previous alleged Iranian assassination threats against him.
The White House has not officially confirmed the reported intelligence shared by Israel.
