Israel Warns US of Fresh Iranian Plot to Kill Trump as Truce Hangs in Balance
Israel shared intelligence with the United States about an alleged Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, amid a fragile truce and renewed military strikes.
The intelligence warning
Israel recently shared new intelligence with the United States indicating a fresh Iranian plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to people familiar with the matter. The details of the alleged plot were not immediately clear, and US officials had not yet vetted the intelligence. Some officials suggested the warning could be viewed as a tool to sway the Trump administration toward Israel's perspective on the war. Iran has long vowed to avenge Qassem Soleimani, the top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general killed in a US strike during Trump's first term.
Trump's response
President Trump addressed the threat in comments to reporters aboard the new Air Force One.
The White House pointed to those remarks when asked about the Israeli intelligence tip.They want to take out the U.S. leader -- me. I'm on whatever list. I saw this morning 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. These are evil, sick people. And we have to root out that cancer. That cancer. You know what you do? You've got to cut out cancer early. And that's the way I feel.
Truce in limbo
The memorandum of understanding that took effect on June 18 between the US and Iran is now in a kind of limbo, not officially dead but showing few signs of life. A two-day exchange of airstrikes and the reimposition of US oil sanctions have left the truce fragile. Technical talks between the two nations are continuing, and a US official said Washington remains committed to finding a solution.
Military and economic pressure
American and Iranian forces have traded strikes across the Middle East, and the US is once again at a heightened security posture. Iran rushed out roughly 11 million barrels of crude oil in the past 24 hours, with five supertankers and one Suezmax observed leaving its ports, as President Trump threatened to reimpose a blockade. The oil exports come amid the flare-up in fighting.
Oil markets steady
West Texas Intermediate traded near $72 a barrel, after slumping almost 2% on Thursday, while Brent ended above $76. Oil steadied at the end of a volatile week as traders assessed the risk to flows from the conflict.
- June 18: US-Iran memorandum of understanding takes effect.
- July 8-9: Two-day exchange of airstrikes between US and Iranian forces.
- July 9: Israel shares intelligence with US on alleged Iranian plot to kill Trump.
- July 9: Iran rushes out 11 million barrels of crude oil in 24 hours.
