Iran has allegedly prepared a fresh blueprint to assassinate Donald Trump, intelligence that Israel reportedly shared with the US. Following these warnings, Donald Trump has hardened his rhetoric, branding the Iranian leadership as 'dirty' and 'evil.' In the aftermath of these claims, the US launched airstrikes on more than 80 locations across Iran on the night of July 7-8.
Is There an Active Iranian Plot?
On July 9, reports emerged suggesting that Israel had alerted US authorities to a specific Iranian plan targeting Donald Trump. While intelligence inputs regarding threats to Donald Trump were already circulating within US agencies, officials indicated that the Israeli warning pointed to a unique and distinct plot. The intelligence, reportedly shared earlier that week, has reignited debate over whether these inputs served as the direct catalyst for the subsequent military escalation.
The Context Behind the Strikes
While no definitive public evidence links the intelligence directly to the decision to bomb Iran, the timeline remains suspicious. While in Turkiye on July 7, Donald Trump declared the peace process with Iran effectively 'over,' shifting from his previous stance of calling them 'intelligent' negotiators to labeling them 'evil.' Donald Trump has stated he is at the 'top of their kill list.' Following the US strikes on July 8, Donald Trump emphasized his precarious security position, later confirming his belief that he is a primary target. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to Donald Trump via phone on July 9, while reports indicate that although US forces prepared for further action, back-channel diplomacy remains active.
Israel’s Strategic Influence
The pattern of intelligence sharing by Israel prior to major US strikes on Iran has been consistent over the last two years. In June 2025, Israel successfully convinced Donald Trump that Iran was aggressively pursuing nuclear weapons, leading to strikes on Iranian facilities. During a February 11 meeting at the White House, Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly presented a one-hour case arguing that military action would be the most effective way to address Iranian aggression, a narrative that eventually shifted Donald Trump from his initial reluctance.
The Economic and Military Costs
Critics argue that following Israel's lead has cost the US dearly across multiple domains. Pentagon records reveal that the first six days of the campaign cost the US $11.3 billion, with total war expenditure now exceeding ₹10 lakh crore. Domestically, petrol prices surged by up to 40%. The military toll includes 42 lost aircraft, notably four F-15E fighter jets and 30 MQ-9 Reaper drones, alongside damage to the US FP132 radar, THAAD, and Patriot air defense systems. Consequently, Donald Trump's approval rating has plummeted from 52% in January to 39% by July 10, accompanied by widespread 'No Kings' protests.
A History of Threats
Threats against Donald Trump have been persistent since the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. From the 2022 video on the official website of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the July 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania by Thomas Matthew Crooks, the tension has remained high. Legal proceedings involving Asif Merchant in July 2024 and Farhad Shakeri in November 2024 suggest ongoing attempts to target the former leader. Despite the rhetoric from various Iranian officials and cleric-led campaigns like 'Blood Pact,' the government under President Masoud Pezeshkian has occasionally sought to distance itself from these extra-official calls for violence.
