Israel shared intel on Iranian hardliners’ desire to target Trump, sources say, as Netanyahu looks to influence course of war
Israel Shared Intel on Iranian Hardliners’ Trump Threats
Israel shared intel on Iranian hardliners who want to target President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources. Israeli intelligence officials communicated this information to the Trump administration, revealing that certain factions within Iran’s hardline leadership harbor ambitions to eliminate the American president. This intelligence does not point toward a concrete, meticulously developed scheme but rather reflects a broader sentiment among Iranian hardliners. Ahmad Vahidi, who recently assumed command of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emerged as a key proponent of such an initiative.
Assessments Reveal Steady Chatter Rather Than New Plot
Two American sources with knowledge of the situation indicated that recent intelligence evaluations do not uncover any fresh, specific Iranian conspiracy aimed at Trump’s assassination. Instead, they describe a continuous stream of discussions among various Iranian entities expressing their desire to see the American president removed. This sentiment extends beyond Iran’s political elite. During the extended funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—who fell victim to Israeli strikes during the war’s initial phase in late February—attendees displayed placards demanding Trump’s death.
In a Friday conversation with the New York Post, Trump minimized the importance of the Israeli intelligence, which the Wall Street Journal initially highlighted on Thursday. He remarked that Iran has threatened his life for years.
“Israel came up with nothing,”
he stated, characterizing himself as Iran’s
“number one”
target
“for a long time.”
Security Concerns Prompt Aircraft Switch
While American intelligence agencies have continued monitoring Iranian officials’ threats toward Trump, the president executed an unexpected change in his travel arrangements upon returning from a NATO summit on Wednesday. Rather than utilizing the newly retrofitted aircraft donated by Qatar—which commenced operations merely this month—Trump opted for an older plane that has transported American presidents for decades. Four US officials attributed this decision partly to heightened security worries stemming from the intensifying conflict with Iran.
Although contemporaneous reports indicated no immediate, novel threat to Trump’s safety, the president had previously mentioned during the summit the potential for an Iranian assassination attempt. This timing coincided with renewed American military actions against Iran, a nation bordering Turkey.
Israel’s Growing Marginalization in Diplomatic Efforts
The exchange of intelligence between Israeli and American officials occurs as Israel finds itself increasingly excluded from critical discussions regarding the termination of the war with Iran. Two Israeli sources revealed that the Trump administration prefers to limit Israel’s involvement in combat operations, fearing that excessive Israeli participation might diminish American control over the conflict’s trajectory.
One source noted that Israeli officials believe Trump seeks to avoid a return to comprehensive warfare and may only be prepared to reimpose a naval blockade on Iranian ports. A US official dismissed this interpretation as
“fake news,”
emphasizing that
“The United States has a strong relationship with Israel, which contributed to the resounding success of Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury. We remain in close coordination with our Israeli partners.”
On Friday, Trump shared a message on Truth Social declaring that
“the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!,”
while acknowledging his agreement to sustain negotiations intended to restore a temporary halt to hostilities.
Israeli Efforts to Shape American Policy
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently expressed doubt regarding Iran’s sincerity in ongoing diplomatic discussions. Unlike those who believe Tehran negotiates in good faith, Netanyahu has advocated for a renewed military campaign designed to weaken the Iranian regime. US intelligence officials recognize that Israel perceives itself as being excluded from key decision-making processes and is consequently intensifying its efforts to influence the Trump administration’s approach to Iran.