Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Thursday voiced skepticism regarding an Israeli intelligence assessment that Iran is planning an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The House Democrat suggested that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might have a vested interest in such a claim.
Appearing on CNN’s “The Source,” Smith addressed a report published by The Wall Street Journal. He acknowledged Iran's past vows to avenge the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani but urged caution. "It’s very hard to tell," Smith stated. "I mean, certainly Iran has made the statement… since the killing of Soleimani — gosh, over six years ago now. It’s also easy to see that Israel would want to sort of buck up Trump, make him more willing to take on Iran more strongly."
Smith noted that Netanyahu has long advocated for a more hawkish stance toward Iran. "Netanyahu has been pushing for that tougher stance, a more hawkish approach, to Iran for quite some time. Now, crucially, without any clear plan for how that’s going to turn into some sort of success, in terms of fundamentally breaking the Iranian regime. But Israel certainly has that interest."
The Wall Street Journal report, citing individuals familiar with the matter, emerged one day after Trump declared a U.S.-Iran ceasefire was "over," seemingly abandoning a recently signed memorandum of understanding intended to de-escalate hostilities.
Smith also commented on the broader conflict, stating, "So, it’s hard to know, it’s hard to know exactly what that intel is. I mean, the bigger problem as you’ve pointed out, the ceasefire has broken down. We don’t seem to have a plan, going forward, for how to achieve our objectives, or even to stop the conflict."