Israeli intelligence recently warned the United States that Iran had devised a fresh plan to assassinate President Donald Trump, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and CNN published on Thursday, 10 July. The warning came hours before Trump publicly declared he was Tehran's “number one” assassination target, while defending his administration’s ongoing military campaign against Iran.

What the Intelligence Reports Said

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli officials recently shared intelligence with Washington indicating that Iran was actively considering a new assassination plan targeting Trump — a development the newspaper described as a significant escalation in the confrontation between the two countries. CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter, confirmed that Israel had passed the warning to US officials, though the United States had not independently verified the intelligence prior to receiving the Israeli assessment.

The White House, when approached by both news organisations for comment, directed them to remarks Trump had made at the NATO summit in Ankara.

Trump’s Own Words at the NATO Summit

Speaking to reporters at the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, Trump openly acknowledged the threat. “I’m number one on the kill list for Iran,” he said. “I’m number one, so I don’t know… but I don’t really care because I’m doing my job.”

Earlier the same day, during a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump made similar remarks. “They want to take out the US leader — me,” he said. “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 little bit lucky, but maybe that doesn’t last very long.”

At a subsequent news conference, Trump signalled the threats would not alter his Iran policy. “I’m doing what’s right for the country,” he said. “They have to be stopped.” He characterised Iranian leadership in stark terms: “They’re scum. That’s the way they act and that’s the way they’ve done it for 47 years.”

Background: Soleimani Strike and Years of Threats

The Wall Street Journal noted that Iran has for years vowed revenge against Trump over the January 2020 US drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. That strike remains a central grievance in Tehran’s posture toward the former and now current US president. The latest warning, according to reports, comes against a backdrop of sharply deteriorating relations: a 60-day ceasefire has collapsed, US military strikes have resumed, and Iranian attacks on commercial shipping have continued. Notably, during funeral ceremonies for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, mourners publicly chanted for Trump’s death, with banners declaring, “We Will Kill Trump.”

Intelligence Community Caution and Diplomatic Undercurrents

CNN reported that US intelligence agencies are monitoring several individuals who have discussed possible attacks on current and former senior American officials. However, one US official cautioned that the Israeli intelligence was viewed by some within the intelligence community as part of a broader Israeli effort to shape Trump’s decision-making on Iran — a significant qualifier that adds complexity to the warning’s reception in Washington. The same official stressed that diplomatic efforts with Tehran continue behind the scenes, despite renewed military strikes and Trump’s declaration that the memorandum of understanding with Iran was “over.”

Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone on Thursday, agreeing to maintain coordination even as differences have reportedly emerged between the two sides over the future direction of the conflict with Iran. The episode underscores how intelligence-sharing, military strategy, and personal threat assessments have become deeply intertwined in the US-Iran-Israel triangle.