By Agency Report
The United States has reportedly received fresh intelligence from Israel warning of an alleged new and specific Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump.
According to reports by major American media outlets on Thursday, the intelligence was shared earlier this week amid renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran, raising concerns over the possibility of another round of military confrontation.
CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that US authorities have for some time been tracking persistent intelligence regarding potential threats against Trump. However, the latest information from Israel was described as a new warning involving a specific assassination plot.
The Wall Street Journal, relying on unnamed officials, also reported that the intelligence pointed to what it described as a fresh plan targeting the US president.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to retaliate against Trump over the January 2020 killing of top Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani, who died in a US drone strike ordered during Trump’s first term in office.
When contacted for comment, the White House did not directly address the reports. Instead, an unnamed official referred to remarks made by Trump on Wednesday while returning from the NATO summit.
“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 told reporters aboard Air Force One as he flew home from a NATO summit.
Questions over the president’s security arrangements also emerged after Trump travelled from Turkey aboard his older Air Force One aircraft, while his recently acquired Qatari-gifted jet departed separately for Britain. He later switched aircraft before continuing his journey to Washington.
The unusual change in travel plans sparked speculation that security concerns influenced the decision, particularly as the United States carried out fresh military strikes against Iran, which shares a border with Turkey.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the aircraft switch was made at the request of the US Secret Service as a precautionary security measure.
During a subsequent press briefing, Trump declined to provide details about the security measures but made reference to previous alleged assassination threats linked to Iran.
AFP
