Israel has reportedly shared intelligence with the United States indicating that Iran has developed a new plan to assassinate former President Donald Trump, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. This intelligence suggests an escalation in threats against Trump, who has been a target of Iranian retaliation since the 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian military commander.
In response to the report, Trump remarked that he is aware of being on various lists targeting him, stating, "They want to take out the US leader — me." He described those behind these threats as "evil, sick people" and emphasized the need to address such threats decisively.
The Wall Street Journal noted that the intelligence was shared amid diverging views between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding military strategy towards Iran following recent conflicts. Netanyahu has advocated for sustained military pressure on Iran, while Trump has expressed a desire to maintain a ceasefire after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.
Following their conversation, Netanyahu's office stated that Trump and Netanyahu agreed to continue coordination between their countries. The report also mentioned that during a recent funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iranian mourners displayed banners calling for Trump's death, reflecting the longstanding animosity from Iran towards the former president.