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
Intelligence Briefing and Strategic Context
Israel shared intel on Iranian hardliners seeking to target President Donald Trump, according to multiple sources. Israeli intelligence officials conveyed to the Trump administration that factions within Iran’s hardline leadership harbor ambitions to eliminate the American president. This intelligence does not point toward a concrete, meticulously developed scheme for execution. Rather, it signals a broader sentiment among influential Iranian figures who wish to see the American president removed from power.
Ahmad Vahidi, recently appointed as the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, emerged as a key proponent of such an initiative, according to an Israeli source speaking with CNN. Within US planning circles, Vahidi has been categorized among the regime’s “obstructionists”—individuals perceived as actively sabotaging diplomatic negotiations. Should hostilities escalate into comprehensive warfare, American officials have reportedly contemplated direct action against these designated leaders.
Two American sources with knowledge of the situation indicated that contemporary US intelligence evaluations reveal no evidence of a fresh, targeted Iranian conspiracy to assassinate Trump. Instead, there exists a persistent pattern of discussions among various Iranian entities expressing their desire to accomplish this objective.
Presidential Response and Security Measures
The impulse to confront Trump extends beyond Iran’s political elite. During the extended funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—who fell victim to Israeli strikes during the conflict’s initial phase in late February—attendees displayed placards demanding Trump’s death.
“Israel came up with nothing,” Trump remarked in a Friday conversation with the New York Post, minimizing the importance of the intelligence initially disclosed by the Wall Street Journal on Thursday. He characterized himself as Iran’s “number one” target “for a long time.”
Despite ongoing intelligence reports concerning Iranian officials’ threats, Trump executed an unexpected modification to his travel arrangements while returning from a NATO summit on Wednesday. Rather than utilizing the newly refurbished aircraft, which had been donated by Qatar and commenced operations merely this month, the president opted for an older plane that has transported American leaders for generations.
Four US officials attributed this decision partly to heightened security considerations stemming from the intensifying situation in Iran. Although contemporaneous sources indicated no novel, specific danger to Trump’s wellbeing, the president had previously acknowledged the potential for an Iranian assassination attempt during the summit, following recent American military actions against the nation bordering Turkey.
Israel’s Diplomatic Position
The timing of Israel’s intelligence sharing coincides with growing marginalization of the country as the Trump administration navigates strategies to conclude its conflict with Iran. Two Israeli sources revealed that Washington prefers to limit Israel’s involvement in combat operations, fearing potential loss of strategic control. One source noted that Israeli analysts believe Trump seeks to avoid renewed full-scale warfare and might only consider reestablishing a naval blockade on Iranian harbors.
“This is fake news,” a US official responded when questioned about Israeli interpretations of Trump’s perspective. “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 noting his agreement to sustain discussions focused on reestablishing a fighting pause.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently questioned Iran’s sincerity in negotiations and never viewed Tehran as engaging in good faith. He has generally supported a return to military engagement as a means of weakening the Iranian regime.
US intelligence professionals recognize that Israel perceives itself as excluded from critical decision-making and is intensifying efforts to shape the Trump administration’s approach toward Iran through various channels. The objective is to prevent acceptance of what Israel regards as an unfavorable agreement. Sources indicated that this perception has generated some doubt within the US intelligence community regarding Israeli-provided information, as officials wonder whether the data reflects genuine threats or strategic positioning by Israeli diplomats seeking greater influence over American policy decisions.
