Israel has uncovered intelligence indicating an Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter as reported by the Wall Street Journal. The US ally shared the information with the United States, prompting heightened security measures.
Background of Retaliation
Iran has long spoken of retaliation against the US leader for the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a top general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, during Trump's first term. Tensions have escalated since February 28, when the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on several key Iranian sites. Iran's former supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed in strikes early in the conflict.
Trump's Comments on Threats
The White House referred to comments President Trump made on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Türkiye, Trump said: "They want to take out the US leader - me. 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."
Iranian Mourning and Threats
On Thursday, Iranians mourned the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and chanted for Trump's death. Some unveiled a banner reading "We Will Kill Trump." The US and Iran had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 17 to bring the war to a close within 60 days, with both nations working towards a lasting peace agreement, restoring international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and settling the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.
Ceasefire Declared Over
However, Trump declared the ceasefire "over" at a NATO summit in Türkiye on Wednesday, telling reporters: "I don't want to deal with them anymore. They're scum."
Security Precaution
Trump was forced to make a dramatic, late-night aircraft switch at a UK military base following chilling assassination threats from Iran, the Express reported on Thursday. The US President ditched his newly gifted, multi-million-pound Qatari jet to fly out of the NATO summit aboard his older, more heavily fortified Air Force One plane. The sudden swap was ordered by the US Secret Service as an urgent "security precaution."
