Full Breakdown
Israeli Intelligence Claims New Iranian Plot to Assassinate President Trump Amid Escalating U.S.–Iran Conflict
7/12/2026, 11:50:58 PM
New Intelligence Claim
Israeli officials disclosed to Washington that Iran had devised a fresh plan to kill President Donald Trump. The report, first cited by the *Wall Street Journal*, identified IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi as part of the group advocating the plot. U.S. intelligence officials, however, said the material reflected a “steady drumbeat of chatter” rather than a concrete, operational scheme. Two U.S. sources confirmed that no specific, vetted Iranian plan had been identified before the Israeli warning.
Diplomatic and Military Context
The confrontation began on 28 February 2026 when U.S. and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes that killed former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A 60-day cease-fire was signed in June, but it unraveled after Iranian attacks on three commercial tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent U.S. strikes on roughly 90 Iranian targets. President Trump declared the cease-fire “over” on 10 July 2026, while still urging that diplomatic talks continue. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written statement vowing revenge for his father’s death, intensifying public calls for Trump’s assassination during the funeral processions.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Trump, speaking to the *New York Post* and on Truth Social, reiterated that Iran has long targeted him, saying, “I’m No. 1 on Iran’s kill list for a long time.” He added that he had “left instructions … to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.”
- A U.S. official told Fox News, “The United States has a strong relationship with Israel, which contributed to the resounding success of Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury.” The same official dismissed reports that Washington was trying to keep Israel out of upcoming strikes as “fake news.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the cease-fire’s durability and warned that Israel remained ready to resume operations if necessary.
- U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned Tehran not to “test” the U.S. military, emphasizing America’s overwhelming capability.
- A senior U.S. official reiterated commitment to the memorandum of understanding, stating, “The United States is still committed to finding a resolution, and technical talks continue.”
Criticism & Opposition
U.S. intelligence officials expressed doubt about the Israeli report, noting a “measure of skepticism” because Israel may seek to influence Trump’s decision-making. An Israeli analyst, Nadav Eyal, told Fox News that while Israel publicly signals readiness to strike, “off the record… it is anything but that,” citing concerns over potential Iranian missile retaliation and domestic political fallout.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Israeli sources describe the intelligence as a “specific, active” plot; U.S. officials characterize it as general dialogue among Iranian actors without a vetted operational plan.
- The Wall Street Journal labeled the threat “fresh,” whereas two U.S. sources said the information had not been independently verified by U.S. agencies.
- No concrete timeline or operational details have been released, leaving the actual immediacy of any assassination attempt unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No. 1 [on Iran's kill list] for a long time” — Donald Trump, *New York Post* interview
- “We pledge to avenge the blood of the martyred leader and all the martyrs of these two wars from the criminal and disgraced killers,” — Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, written statement
- “The United States has a strong relationship with Israel, which contributed to the resounding success of Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury.” — U.S. official, Fox News interview
- “On the record, Israel is signaling that it is prepared and even eager to strike Iran. But off the record, sources are saying that it is anything but that,” — Nadav Eyal, Israeli analyst
- “The only thing is, I’ve left instructions — if anything happens, to just literally bomb them at levels that they’ve never seen before.” — Donald Trump, *New York Post* interview
What’s Next
U.S. and Iranian negotiators, backed by Qatari and Omani mediators, are slated to meet in the coming days to discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring compliance with the cease-fire memorandum. Simultaneously, the U.S. military maintains heightened readiness, with carrier-based strike groups conducting drills in the region.
