The United States has been presented with intelligence from Israel detailing a new Iranian plot to assassinate President Donald Trump. This disclosure follows President Trump's assertion that a ceasefire with Iran is no longer in effect, with the President also stating that Iranian leaders "want to make a deal badly."
While specific details of the plot were not immediately disclosed, Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, agreeing to maintain coordination between the two countries, according to The Wall Street Journal. The White House referred inquiries to Trump's prior statements.
Earlier this week, Trump commented on threats against him, stating, "They want to take out the US leader — me. I'm on every single one of their lists. And so far, I guess I've been a bit lucky, but maybe that doesn't last very long." He described such individuals as "evil, sick people" who need to be dealt with, comparing the situation to cutting out a cancer.
This warning emerged as hardline lawmakers in Tehran publicly advocated for missile strikes targeting Trump's location at a summit. During the funeral for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this week, mourners reportedly placed a death bounty on Trump. Footage from Tehran showed demonstrators holding posters with red crosshairs over Trump's face, accompanied by the warning: "Sooner or later, your heads will roll."
Chants of "Death to America" and "Death to Israel" were heard during Khamenei's funeral procession. Iranians were also seen setting fire to U.S. and British flags and throwing rocks at images of Trump. An effigy of Trump hanging was reportedly seen near the front of the procession.
Trump's remarks about the threats came after he declared his ceasefire with Iran "over" and authorized new strikes on the regime following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. He posted images to his Truth Social platform of overnight strikes, writing, "This is in retribution for yesterday's bombing of ships by Iran. If it happens again, it will get much worse!"
CENTCOM later released footage of additional airstrikes on Iranian military targets, stating the actions were intended to "further degrade their ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz."
Khamenei led Iran for nearly 37 years before his death in U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that initiated the current conflict on February 28. He was buried in his hometown of Mashhad. The funeral processions began days earlier, with authorities closing streets, airspace, and daily activities in Tehran and other cities.
The regime's alleged desire to target Trump dates back to his first term, particularly after a 2020 drone strike ordered by the President that killed Revolutionary Guard general Qasem Soleimani. U.S. intelligence had previously warned during Trump's 2024 campaign about Iranian plots to assassinate him and former officials in retaliation for the strike.
Federal prosecutors had charged a Revolutionary Guard operative with offering $300,000 to assassinate former national security advisor John Bolton on American soil. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former Iran envoy Brian Hook reportedly lived under constant government protection.
President Trump's discussions of potential assassination threats come shortly before the two-year anniversary of an attempt on his life in Butler, Pennsylvania. A report from the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general indicated that the Secret Service missed numerous radio calls flagging the gunman in that incident and did not alert agents near Trump on stage.
The fluctuating rhetoric and the approval of military strikes raise questions about the future of the conflict, especially after recent diplomatic efforts. Analysts suggest this approach might be a tactic to pressure Tehran regarding attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. Mediators are reportedly working to preserve an interim deal, but the escalating tensions could have political implications.